ABSTRACT
During oil processing operation companies encounter deterioration of oil and water separation, generation of separate layer at oil/water interface and degradation of produced water quality due to increase of suspended solids and hydrocarbons concentration. This significantly affects operation of oil processing units, might lead to frequent clogging of filters and reduces repair interval of equipment. Studies of causes of produced water quality deterioration of “Piltun-Astokh-A” offshore oil platform revealed that oil/water interface in process equipment contains layer of floating solid particles. These particles significantly affect separation of oil and water. Analysis of solid particles revealed that main component of organic part of the sample contains polymer with composition similar to Novon which is biodegradable polymer with altering polysaccharides and polyolefins chains. It was found out that on the platform number of chemicals contain polysaccharides molecules. These chemicals are used as lost circulation materials during drilling, workover and completion operations, for modification of rheological properties of drilling mud and during fracture treatment. Probable mechanisms of polymer back-production and its impact on oil processing for offshore oil and gas facilities are proposed. Recommendations on mitigation of this impact are provided
