The new framework for mineral scale risk assessment in upstream oil and gas operations has been developed by OLI and experts from several major operators in the industry. This technical framework has been made publicly available and is known as the "Upstream Scale Guidelines 2026."
Development of Guidelines by Industry Experts
The aforementioned guidelines were developed through OLI's Customer Advisory Board with the participation of specialists from major companies such as bp, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Devon Energy, ExxonMobil Technology & Engineering, Harbour Energy, PDO, Repsol, and Shell Exploration & Production Co. The aim of this initiative is to address inconsistencies in how operators assess mineral scale threats.
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While companies have developed their own internal methods for assessing scale, OLI stated that the industry lacked a common framework to cover the complete assessment process. These guidelines include workflows such as sampling and chemistry of representative fluids, thermal scale prediction, and operational risk assessment.
Participation in Improving Scale Management
This framework is designed to connect technical analysis with field decisions, allowing operators to maintain their engineering judgment and operational practices. Dr. Giulia Ness, the principal customer solutions architect at OLI and the lead author of these guidelines, stated: "Scale management is an area where there is extensive experience in our industry, but much of this knowledge has been developed independently."
Mineral scale can restrict flow and impact well and production system performance, making precise assessment and management crucial for maintaining upstream operations. This framework was first presented at the SPE Scale Symposium in Aberdeen in May 2026 and is now publicly available for the oil and gas industry.
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