We’ve just completed our first installation for a new customer in the Gulf of Mexico, to protect two offshore gas lift wells from barite scaling.

Barite / baryte / barium sulfate / BaSO4 is one of the most common oilfield scales and when it precipitates in the wellbore, like other scales, it can restrict tubing diameter, block screens and hamper safety valves and other downhole equipment. But barite is a hard mineral and its name is derived from the Greek word ‘barys’ meaning ‘heavy’ as it has an exceptionally high specific gravity for a non-metallic mineral, that’s why it’s often used to add weight to drilling fluids. Harder minerals are more difficult to remove, so we prefer to stop them forming in the well in the first place.

Prior to installing ClearWELL™ technology, the operator had to routinely remove the barite scale mechanically, increasing well intervention costs and non-productive downtime. We’re looking forward to monitoring their performance over the long-term now that they have continuous scale protection.

The GOM basin is well-known for its large concentration of both deepwater (over 4000 ft water) and shallow water wells so we’re delighted to be expanding our operational footprint in this busy region. These wells were around 12,500ft / 3,800m deep (TVD).