TABLE OF CONTENTS This chapter discusses various aspects of field operations related to waterflood asset management, including water system, compatibility and treatment; water injection and production control; conversion versus newly drilled wells, and methods of increasing injectivity. It should be emphasized that the success of a waterflood depends upon how well field operations are managed. The operations must be closely integrated with geological and engineering activities.
Maintenance of water system, compatibility between various fluids, and treatment to achieve desired fluid characteristics are discussed in this section.
If water quality is not maintained, higher injection pressures are required to sustain desired injection rates. Also, corrosion problems increase with time when lower-quality water is used. It is important to protect the injection system against corrosion to preserve its physical and chemical integrity and to prevent the generation of corrosion products.
This section discusses water treating facilities and surface and downhole equipment for injection or disposal. [1], [2], [3] The field operations generally are concerned with:
Reducing operating costs. Properly designed, constructed, operated, and monitored facilities for a waterflood reduce the costs of treating source water for injection and produced water for disposal. Properly treated injection water reduces the costs associated with workovers and stimulation of injection wells. Adequate corrosion and scale control measures extend the operating life of equipment, decrease maintenance and operating costs, and reduce lost production. Control of bacterial activity can maintain sweet production, minimize the production of toxic and corrosive gases,...
