Methods for Risk Assessment of Inorganic Scaling in Crude Oil–Water Transport Trunklines Connected by Multiple Production Flowlines: A Comprehensive Literature Review
Abstract
Inorganic scale deposition in crude oil–water transport trunklines is a formidable flow assurance challenge, uniquely exacerbated in extensive gathering networks where multiple production flowlines commingle multiphase fluids. As some fields experience progressively higher water cuts, the mixing of incompatible waters, characterized by diverse thermodynamic profiles and varying concentrations of scaling ions (Ca2+, Ba2+, Sr2+, SO42−, CO32−, etc.) triggers severe precipitation. This comprehensive literature review synthesizes seminal and contemporary studies to critically evaluate the state-of-the-art methodologies for assessing scaling risks in these intricate systems. Progressing chronologically and thematically, the analysis details the transition from static, bulk-fluid thermodynamic equilibrium calculations to dynamic, high-fidelity deterministic and probabilistic approaches. These advanced frameworks include Reactive Transport Modeling (RTM), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and Machine Learning (ML) architectures. Special emphasis is placed on the mathematical governing equations that dictate trunkline-specific phenomena: multi-stream commingling, non-isothermal gradients, probabilistic kinetic induction, and the profound impact of turbulent transport (turbophoresis) on crystal attachment and wall shear detachment. Finally, an integrated, multi-tier flow assurance workflow is proposed to guide future field-scale risk management and digital twin deployment.