Prevention of Downhole Scaling at Intermountain Geothermal

Abstract

Scaling of wells represents a major problem to many geothermal power plants. Geothermal brines contain dissolved minerals that have a high tendency to precipitate in critical areas. In particular, formation and growth of calcium carbonate scales are harmful to operations by restricting brine flow and causing a decrease in power generating efficiency. Removal of the scale involve taking the well off line and physically cleaning the deposits downhole. This process restores the well efficiency but is extremely costly and time consuming. The well under study would start to lose well head pressure after 55 days and have to be taken off line after four months to be acid washed. A downhole antiscalant treatment program was successfully put into place. This program has allowed the well to operate for a one (1) year period without significant loss in well head pressure and no shutdowns. This paper reviews the results of a one (1) year continuous treatment program at Intermountain Geothermal, Roosevelt Hot Springs, Milford Utah.