Characterization of scale deposition in oil pipelines through X-Ray Microfluorescence and X-Ray microtomography.

The formation of scales consists in one of the most relevant problems in the oil prospecting field and occurs when incompatible types of water (injected sea water and formation water) are mixed in the reservoir, unavoidably undergoing chemical interaction followed by mineral precipitation. In this work, scale samples extracted from obstructed oil pipes were characterized through X-Ray Microfluorescence and X-Ray microtomography by analyzing their elemental and structural composition. Different types of scale were found according to their elemental distribution (mainly BaSO4 and CaCO3) and to the way that they were deposited inside the pipes. The results of both techniques provided data that can be used to optimize the prevention and removal methods of such materials from pipes and equipments used in oil facilities.