Difference between revisions of "Oilfield water analysis"

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==Methods==
 
==Methods==
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[[file:oilfield-water-analysis_fig1.png|left|thumb|{{figure number|1}}Triangular plot showing relative amounts of cations in typical oil field brines. Relative amount of sodium changes, but calcium is always about five times magnesium. (After <ref name=pt05r46>Dickey, P. A., 1966, Patterns of chemical composition of deep subsurface waters: AAPG Bulletin, v. 50, p. 2472–2478.</ref>.)]]
 
  
 
===Sampling===
 
===Sampling===
  
 
A truly representative sample can best be obtained from the flow line. Another sampling method is by drill stem tests, although this water is usually contaminated with filtrate from the drilling mud. (For more details, see the chapter on “[[Drill stem testing]]” in Part 3.) Additional sampling methods include formation testers such as the formation inverval tester (FIT) and the repeat formation tester (RFT), which due to their ability to hold a limited volume, usually recover only filtrate. (For more on formation testers, see the chapter on “[[Wireline formation testers]]” in Part 4.)
 
A truly representative sample can best be obtained from the flow line. Another sampling method is by drill stem tests, although this water is usually contaminated with filtrate from the drilling mud. (For more details, see the chapter on “[[Drill stem testing]]” in Part 3.) Additional sampling methods include formation testers such as the formation inverval tester (FIT) and the repeat formation tester (RFT), which due to their ability to hold a limited volume, usually recover only filtrate. (For more on formation testers, see the chapter on “[[Wireline formation testers]]” in Part 4.)
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[[file:oilfield-water-analysis_fig1.png|left|thumb|{{figure number|1}}Triangular plot showing relative amounts of cations in typical oil field brines. Relative amount of sodium changes, but calcium is always about five times magnesium. (After <ref name=pt05r46>Dickey, P. A., 1966, Patterns of chemical composition of deep subsurface waters: AAPG Bulletin, v. 50, p. 2472–2478.</ref>.)]]
  
 
===Analytical methods===
 
===Analytical methods===
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 +
[[file:oilfield-water-analysis_fig2.png|thumb|{{figure number|2}}Stiff<ref name=pt05r149 /> diagrams used to show water compositions on maps.]]
  
 
In the past, only the six principal elements were reported. Only five of these were determined by analysis: calcium, magnesium, chloride, alkalinity (usually reported as bicarbonate), and sulfate. Sodium was estimated by difference. Results were reported as parts per million (ppm), but because the methods are volumetric, it is more correct to report those results as milligrams per liter (mg/L). Recently, physical methods such as atomic absorption and spectrometry have made it possible to analyze for the less abundant elements<ref name=pt05r10>American Society for Testing Materials, 1990, Water and environmental technology: ASTM, v. 11., 01, 612 p., and v. 11., 02, 878 p.</ref>. Some elements, such as barium, are important because they precipitate and plug pores. Others such as iodine and bromine may be economically profitable to recover. (For more on properties of reservoir water, see the chapter on “[[Petroleum reservoir fluid properties]]” in Part 10.)
 
In the past, only the six principal elements were reported. Only five of these were determined by analysis: calcium, magnesium, chloride, alkalinity (usually reported as bicarbonate), and sulfate. Sodium was estimated by difference. Results were reported as parts per million (ppm), but because the methods are volumetric, it is more correct to report those results as milligrams per liter (mg/L). Recently, physical methods such as atomic absorption and spectrometry have made it possible to analyze for the less abundant elements<ref name=pt05r10>American Society for Testing Materials, 1990, Water and environmental technology: ASTM, v. 11., 01, 612 p., and v. 11., 02, 878 p.</ref>. Some elements, such as barium, are important because they precipitate and plug pores. Others such as iodine and bromine may be economically profitable to recover. (For more on properties of reservoir water, see the chapter on “[[Petroleum reservoir fluid properties]]” in Part 10.)
  
 
==Interpretation==
 
==Interpretation==
−
 
−
[[file:oilfield-water-analysis_fig2.png|thumb|{{figure number|2}}Stiff<ref name=pt05r149 /> diagrams used to show water compositions on maps.]]
 
  
 
In interpreting water analyses, it is customary to use reacting values (also called equivalent parts per million). The reacting value is the weight of the element in parts per million divided by the atomic or molecular weight and multiplied by the valence. In comparing waters, it is also useful to calculate the milliequivalent percent (Table 1). Because there are usually three principal cations and three anions, the milliequivalent percent can be plotted on a triangular diagram ([[:file:oilfield-water-analysis_fig1.png|Figure 1]]).
 
In interpreting water analyses, it is customary to use reacting values (also called equivalent parts per million). The reacting value is the weight of the element in parts per million divided by the atomic or molecular weight and multiplied by the valence. In comparing waters, it is also useful to calculate the milliequivalent percent (Table 1). Because there are usually three principal cations and three anions, the milliequivalent percent can be plotted on a triangular diagram ([[:file:oilfield-water-analysis_fig1.png|Figure 1]]).

Revision as of 22:33, 16 January 2014

Development Geology Reference Manual
Series Methods in Exploration
Part Laboratory methods
Chapter Oilfield water analysis
Author Parke A. Dickey
Link Web page
Store AAPG Store

The principal reasons for performing chemical analysis of water produced with oil are to

  • Determine its source
  • Determine water resistivity (Rw)
  • Detect hydrocarbon-related compounds
  • Trace the path and location of injected water

Methods

Sampling

A truly representative sample can best be obtained from the flow line. Another sampling method is by drill stem tests, although this water is usually contaminated with filtrate from the drilling mud. (For more details, see the chapter on “Drill stem testing” in Part 3.) Additional sampling methods include formation testers such as the formation inverval tester (FIT) and the repeat formation tester (RFT), which due to their ability to hold a limited volume, usually recover only filtrate. (For more on formation testers, see the chapter on “Wireline formation testers” in Part 4.)

Figure 1 Triangular plot showing relative amounts of cations in typical oil field brines. Relative amount of sodium changes, but calcium is always about five times magnesium. (After [1].)

Analytical methods

Figure 2 Stiff[2] diagrams used to show water compositions on maps.

In the past, only the six principal elements were reported. Only five of these were determined by analysis: calcium, magnesium, chloride, alkalinity (usually reported as bicarbonate), and sulfate. Sodium was estimated by difference. Results were reported as parts per million (ppm), but because the methods are volumetric, it is more correct to report those results as milligrams per liter (mg/L). Recently, physical methods such as atomic absorption and spectrometry have made it possible to analyze for the less abundant elements[3]. Some elements, such as barium, are important because they precipitate and plug pores. Others such as iodine and bromine may be economically profitable to recover. (For more on properties of reservoir water, see the chapter on “Petroleum reservoir fluid properties” in Part 10.)

Interpretation

In interpreting water analyses, it is customary to use reacting values (also called equivalent parts per million). The reacting value is the weight of the element in parts per million divided by the atomic or molecular weight and multiplied by the valence. In comparing waters, it is also useful to calculate the milliequivalent percent (Table 1). Because there are usually three principal cations and three anions, the milliequivalent percent can be plotted on a triangular diagram (Figure 1).

Table 1 Example calculations to convert milligrams per liter to milliequivalents and milliequivalent percent
Element Factor Water 1 – mg/L Water 1 – meq Water 1 – meq% Water 2 – mg/L Water 2 – meq Water 2 – meq%
Na+ 0.0435 44,100 1918 74 3040 132.2 99
Ca2+ 0.0499 11,000 549 20 21 1.0 0.5
Mg2+ 0.0823 1,500 123 6 7 0.6 0.5
Total cations 2590 100 133.8 100
Cl– 0.0282 91,800 2589 100 3240 91.4 70
SO42– 0.0208 None — — 407 8.5 6.5
HCO3– 0.0164 34 0.5 — 1870 30.7 23.5
Total anions 2590 100 130.6 100.0

In plotting water composition on maps, it is convenient to show the analyses in the form of patterns. One of the most commonly used patterns was devised by Stiff[2]. The cations are plotted to the left on three or four lines, and the anions are plotted to the right. Milliequivalents are usually plotted on a logarithmic scale (Figure 2).

Applications

When a well starts to make water, it is necessary to find out where the water is coming from to determine what actions, if any, are needed. Another important reason for sampling and analyzing water is to determine its resistivity (Rw). This value is needed to determine its saturation (Sw) in the producing formation by wireline log analysis. Consequently, some well logging societies have compiled Rw values for different regions.

Water from dry holes is sometimes analyzed for traces of hydrocarbon-related organic compounds, such as organic acids and benzene. If they are found, it suggests that the formation had an oil accumulation in the vicinity[4].

Water for subsurface injection should be carefully filtered and analyzed for its chemical composition. Injection water is filtered because it must be free of suspended matter that might plug the rock pores or coat the faces of the grains. This matter might be bacteria or algae and can be mitigated by including bactericides in the water. Harmful matter can also arise from corrosion of the steel pipes, so it is customary to keep dissolved oxygen out of the injection water. (For information on corrosion and scale, see the chapter on “Production problems” in Part 9.)

Injected water can also cause authigenic clays in the pores to swell and/or migrate. Injected water may react with interstitial water, forming precipitates that also plug the pores and create formation damage. This reaction can be predicted from chemical analysis. (For more on formation damage, see the chapter on “Rock-Water Reactions: Formation Damage” in Part 5.)

See also

References

  1. ↑ Dickey, P. A., 1966, Patterns of chemical composition of deep subsurface waters: AAPG Bulletin, v. 50, p. 2472–2478.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Stiff, H. A., 1951, The interpretation of chemical water analyses by means of patterns: Journal of Petroleum Technology, v. 3, p. 15–1710., 2118/951376-G
  3. ↑ American Society for Testing Materials, 1990, Water and environmental technology: ASTM, v. 11., 01, 612 p., and v. 11., 02, 878 p.
  4. ↑ Zarella, W. M. 1967, Analysis and significance of hydrocarbons in subsurface brines: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, n. 13, p. 1155–1166., 10., 1016/S0016-7037(67)80054-1

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