In the demanding world of oil production, operators face complex challenges that threaten both operational continuity and asset integrity. From severe corrosion in high-stress environments to sudden and unexpected scale formation in high-temperature ‘dry’ production wells, these issues require sophisticated, timely chemical solutions tailored to specific field conditions.
Clariant Oil Services has demonstrated how innovative chemistry and customized approaches can overcome these critical challenges, extending equipment life and ensuring production reliability even in the most demanding environments.
When a major operator in the Asia Pacific region discovered alarming corrosion rates in their subsea water injection system, they faced a potential crisis. The high-shear stress conditions threatened the pipeline’s integrity, with failure projected within months. With replacement components unavailable for immediate installation, an interim solution was urgently needed.
The challenge was particularly complex due to the extreme operating conditions: the pipeline’s exposure to high shear stress meant that conventional corrosion inhibitors would likely be stripped away, leaving the metal surface vulnerable. Additionally, the remote offshore location limited chemical storage capacity, requiring a solution that would be effective at minimal dosage rates.
Clariant responded with a specialized corrosion inhibitor designed specifically for high-shear environments. Laboratory testing confirmed its effectiveness under the challenging conditions present in the field. When deployed, the solution significantly reduced the corrosion rate, meeting the operator’s protection targets.
“What makes this achievement particularly noteworthy is the inhibitor’s performance under such extreme shear stress,” explained Sal Pradhan, Head of Oil Services Asia Pacific. “Most conventional treatments would fail under these conditions, but our solution maintained its protective film even at these challenging parameters.”
Post-treatment inspection confirmed the comprehensive protection provided. The solution’s high efficiency at low concentrations also addressed the logistical constraints, minimizing storage requirements while maximizing protection.
Clariant has developed a specialty squeeze scale inhibitor specifically formulated for challenging high-temperature applications. Rather than applying a standard treatment protocol, Clariant’s technical team developed a customized deployment approach tailored to the well conditions and operational constraints.
“The key to success in these complex scenarios isn’t just the chemical formulation – it’s understanding the unique dynamics of each production system and designing a treatment program accordingly,” commented Alex Thornton, Global Innovation Manager, Scale, Oil Services. “Our approach combines innovative chemistry with application expertise.”
The treatment effectively prevented calcium carbonate scale formation throughout the target lifetime, with no evidence of formation damage – a critical consideration in maintaining reservoir productivity. Operators also observed improved overall system reliability.
These case studies highlight how specialized chemical solutions can address critical challenges in oil production environments. By developing inhibitors specifically designed for extreme conditions, whether high shear stress or elevated temperatures – Clariant enables operators to protect valuable assets and maintain production even when facing severe operational challenges.
The approach goes beyond simply providing chemicals; it involves comprehensive problem analysis, laboratory validation under field-representative conditions, and customized application strategies. This combination of innovative chemistry and application expertise delivers solutions that address immediate challenges while supporting long-term operational goals.
As oil production increasingly moves into more challenging environments, such as deeper waters, higher temperatures, more complex fluid chemistries, the role of specialized chemical solutions becomes increasingly critical. Clariant’s ongoing innovation in this space focuses on developing treatments that can withstand these extreme conditions while meeting evolving environmental and operational requirements.
“The oil industry continues to push boundaries in terms of production environments,” said Kevin Mutch, Global Head of Marketing & Application Development, Oil Services. “Our focus is on staying ahead of these challenges while developing chemical solutions that enable safe, reliable operations even under the most demanding conditions.”
Through this commitment to innovation and customized problem-solving, Clariant continues to deliver on its purpose of creating greater chemistry between people and planet – helping customers overcome critical challenges while supporting operational continuity and asset integrity.
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