Salt Control in the Alif Field, North Yemen

by
Douglas Frank Torr, B.S.

University of Texas at Austin, 1994
Supervisor: Augusto L. Podio

Severe salt precipitation conditions exist in the Alif field becuase of the fully salt saturated formation water and the decreasing solubility of the brine associated with the production processes. Produced fluids in typical petroleum operations decrease in pressure and temperature throughout the process. The solubility of salt also decreases with declining pressure and temperature. Lowering the solubility of a saturated brine results in the precipitation of salt scale. Virtually all producing wells in the Alif field have exhibited salt deposition problems to some degree. Wells with substantial water cuts can cease to flow in a matter of hours due to salt precipitation. This paper presents experiences with salt deposition on the surface and downhole production equipment. The development of a downhole completion technique successfully treated the salt deposition throughout the production processes. This paper presents the benefits achieved by the use of the new completion technique and other methods that were used to control salt precipitation.

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