Patent ID: 6891606

Claim:
A method for real time determination the of mineral scale deposition rate from a formation fluid comprising: A) placing an optical probe having a probe surface which can measure changes in refractive index at the probe surface, into contact with a formation fluid produced or being produced from an oil well; B) measuring the changes in refractive index at the probe surface; and C) determining the on-set and rate, if any, of mineral scale deposition from the formation fluid as a function of the changes in refractive index at the probe surface; wherein: i) the probe surface which can be monitored for changes in refractive index is in contact with the formation fluid; ii) the probe, including the probe surface which can be monitored for changes in refractive index, is composed of a material which can withstand an extended period of contact with the formation fluid at the temperatures and pressures present in oil wells; iii) the determination of on-set of mineral scale deposition and the mineral scale deposition rate from the formation fluid takes place in real time; and iv) the optical probe having a probe surface which can measure changes in refractive index at the probe surface is an ATR probe.