Process for producing or cleaning high pressure water injection wells

Abstract

A process for controlling biomass and cleaning water injection wells and oil producing wells by injecting an oxidant into the pumped water injection stream. Chlorine dioxide or sodium chlorite, depending on the reactants present in the well, may be injected by means of a stinger, a spool or a coiled tube into the pumped water injection stream. Chlorine dioxide is generated at the site and may be generated by any one of several known processes. Hydrochloric acid or other proton donor stream, a water stream, and a stream containing sodium chlorate, sodium chlorite, and optional sodium chloride may be mixed at an elevated pressure to create chlorine dioxide. The elevated pressure of the chlorine dioxide stream is maintained at or boosted to a level greater than the pressure of the water injection or oil-producing well to aid in the injection of the chlorine dioxide stream either from generation to the well or through a booster pump mechanism to the well. Elevated pressure is maintained during application at a level to maintain the chlorine dioxide in solution.