Enhanced Scale Dissolution Using EDTA-2D-Substrate Composite Materials

Area of Science:

• Petroleum Engineering
• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Barium sulfate and calcium sulfate are persistent inorganic scales in the petroleum industry, causing operational challenges like pipeline blockages and reduced hydrocarbon flow.
• Effective scale-dissolving materials are crucial for maintaining production efficiency and equipment integrity in oil and gas operations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate novel flow assurance materials for efficient dissolution of barium and calcium sulfate scales.
• To assess the performance of functionalized two-dimensional (2D) substrates, including graphene (CG), boron nitride (BN), and their composite (CG+BN), with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA).

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of 2D-substrate composites (CG, BN, CG+BN) immobilized with 10% EDTA using a single-step method.
• Evaluation of scale-dissolving performance for barium/calcium sulfate scales, both separately and simultaneously, at various temperatures.
• Assessment of precipitation tendency and comparison with EDTA alone.

Main Results:

• The developed 2D-substrate composites demonstrated high efficiency in dissolving barium and calcium sulfate scales at both low and high temperatures.
• These composites exhibited minimal precipitation tendency, outperforming ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) alone.
• The functionalized 2D materials effectively dissolved scales individually and simultaneously.

Conclusions:

• The novel 2D-substrate composites offer an effective and environmentally benign solution for scale dissolution in petroleum operations.
• This approach provides a sustainable and practical alternative for enhancing flow assurance and mitigating scale-related issues.
• The study highlights the potential of immobilized 2D materials for advanced scale management in the oil and gas industry.