Open Access

ARTICLE

Experimental Investigation of Particle Deposition and Pipeline Plugging Mechanisms in Produced Fluids from High-Salinity Gas Reservoirs

Bo Zhang^1,2,3,4, Guosheng Ai^1,2,3,4, Junlin Wu⁴, Mingyi Zhang^1,2,3,4, Xinqing Zhang^5,*, Cong Li^1,2,3,4, Xuanwei Zhang^1,2,3,4, Na Li^1,2,3,4, Limin Yuan^1,2,3,4

1 R&D Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservior Exploration and Development, CNPC, Korla, China
2 Engineering Research Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservoir Exploration and Development, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Korla, China
3 Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Ultra-Deep Oil and Gas, Korla, China
4 Tarim Oilfield Company, PetroChina, Korla, China
5 College of Petroleum Engineering, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an, China

* Corresponding Author: Xinqing Zhang. Email:

Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing 2026, 22(8), 5 https://doi.org/10.32604/fdmp.2026.086215

Received 26 May 2026; Accepted 31 July 2026; Issue published 04 September 2026

Abstract

This study investigates the physicochemical characteristics, particle deposition behavior, and plugging mechanisms of produced fluids from drainage-gas recovery wells in high-salinity gas reservoirs, using a representative well from the Tarim Oilfield as a case study for a broad class of production systems affected by liquid-phase pipeline plugging. A comprehensive experimental methodology was adopted, combining physicochemical characterization, filtration and static sedimentation experiments, dynamic deposition tests, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). This combined experimental approach was employed to identify the dominant deposition mechanisms and determine the particle-size fractions most responsible for pipeline plugging. The produced fluid was identified as a high-salinity, weakly acidic CaCl₂-type aqueous system with potential scaling tendencies associated with BaSO₄, SrSO₄, and CaCO₃. Particle-size analysis revealed that particles were predominantly distributed within the 2–10 μm range, representing 58.89% of the total particle population and constituting the principal plugging-risk fraction. In particular, particles between 2 and 5 μm were found to play a dominant role in turbidity breakthrough, membrane bridging, and the initiation of deposit formation. Microscopic characterization further showed that the deposits consisted primarily of NaCl, CaCO₃, SiO₂, together with minor sulfate- and metal-containing phases, indicating a composite deposition mechanism involving both suspended particles and salt crystallization.

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Keywords

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