Conducting Barite Scale Formations in Oil Production Reservoirs

Barite scale formation in oil production reservoirs is a serious problem. The scale forms when precipitation occurs from supersaturated solutions. This may decrease the efficiency of oil production and can even cause an emergency shutdown. To prevent such scale formation during oil production, inhibitors are commonly used, but it is important to study the formation rate of the scale under relevant oil production conditions. In this application note, the barite (barium sulfate) precipitation was studied under relevant oil production conditions.