Innovative Application of GRE Lined Technology for Scale Mitigation and Flow Assurance

Abstract This paper presents an innovative application of the glass reinforced epoxy (GRE) tubing implementation in oil producing wells, emphasizing its effectiveness in addressing the challenge of iron sulfide and calcium carbonate scale formation. Scale build-up, primarily composed of mineral deposits, poses significant challenges in oil production, often leading to reduced flow efficiency, increased maintenance requirements, and higher operational costs. Traditional metal tubing systems are particularly susceptible to scaling, which can compromise the integrity and performance of well infrastructure. Traditionally, lined tubing has been utilized for corrosion protection of tubing in water injection, oil producer and water supply wells. The technology involves inserting a thin tube of GRE inside the carbon steel tubing and grouting the annulus with cement. The connection area is protected by a combination of end flares and a corrosion barrier ring. In some occasions, the tubing is pulled out from the wells owing to workovers from side tracking or non-tubing related issues. This gives an opportunity for the tubing to be inspected in the pipe yard. Interestingly, apart from living up to the expectations to eliminate corrosion, the internal surface of the tubing looked fresh with no deposits that are usually found in pulled out carbon steel pipes. Scales can originate from the formation of corrosion by-products on the surface of carbon steel and also from precipitation in the flow. GRE liner on top of the steel eliminates contact of carbon steel in coming in contact with the fluids in the well, thereby reducing the risk of corrosion by products as scale on the surface of the carbon steel pipe. The smooth internal surface of the GRE reduces the deposition tendency of the scales precipitated during the flow.