Extended Release technology triples scale squeeze life
Deepwater Gulf of America operator saves USD 425,000 in OPEX with one squeeze treatment
A deepwater Gulf of America operator used Extended Release™ nano-enabled scale squeeze technology, SCAL22626XR, to triple squeeze life, avoiding 40,000 bbl of deferred oil production.
Extend polymer scale protection in a deepwater subsea well
Seawater breakthrough and injection can often introduce sulfate scaling to deepwater offshore operations. These scaling species can be highly insoluble and difficult to treat. Polymeric scale inhibitors are widely used to address complex scaling species, but unlike phosphonate-based inhibitors, they do not provide the retention properties needed for prolonged protection through conventional squeeze treatments.
Extended Release technology was developed to retain polymeric scale inhibitor in the reservoir and release it over time, reducing reliance on continuous injection or frequent squeeze reapplications while protecting the near-wellbore area and topside systems.
Triple squeeze life and save USD 425,000 in OPEX
Before the field trial, Extended Release technology SCAL22626XR underwent laboratory evaluations typical for scale squeeze qualification, including fluid and chemical compatibility testing, dynamic scale loop testing to determine the minimum effective dosage, and intact core testing to evaluate formation damage potential. Following this, the operator then trialed the scale inhibitor in a deepwater subsea Gulf of America well.
The Extended Release technology facilitated reservoir retention and controlled polymer release. One squeeze treatment achieved the equivalent effective lifetime of at least three conventional polymer squeezes. The deployment delivered USD 425,000 in OPEX savings, avoided approximately 40,000 bbl of deferred oil production, and reduced over 60 metric tons of CO₂ emissions (figure based on a second incumbent squeeze over the same period).
Extended Release technology SCAL22626XR protected the system while ~1.4MM bbl of water was produced over two years. In the same well, the historical polymeric scale inhibitor squeeze protected ~250,000 bbl of water production over six months. The trial therefore delivered a threefold increase in squeeze life.
Subsequent deployments in other deepwater subsea Gulf of America wells averaged at least a twofold increase in squeeze life compared with incumbent polymer squeezes, extending the impact beyond the initial trial.
Extended Release technology is part of the ChampionX™ nano-enabled technology portfolio.
