(WO) — OLI and specialists from several major oil and gas operators have developed a publicly available technical framework for assessing and managing mineral scale risk across upstream operations.
The 2026 Upstream Scale Guidelines were developed through OLI’s Client Engagement Board with participation from specialists at bp, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Devon Energy, ExxonMobil Technology & Engineering, Harbour Energy, PDO, Repsol and Shell Exploration & Production Co.
The initiative addresses inconsistencies in how operators assess scale threats. While companies have developed internal practices and technical guidance exists for individual aspects of scale assessment, OLI said the industry has lacked a common framework covering the complete assessment process.
The guidelines cover workflows beginning with representative fluid sampling and chemistry, followed by thermodynamic scale prediction and operational risk assessment. The framework is designed to connect technical analysis with field decisions while allowing operators to retain their own engineering judgment and operating practices.
“Scale management is an area where there is enormous experience across our industry, but much of that knowledge has developed independently,” said Dr. Giulia Ness, Principal Client Solutions Architect at OLI and lead author of the guidelines.
Mineral scale can restrict flow and affect well and production-system performance, making accurate assessment and management important to maintaining upstream operations.
The framework was first presented at the SPE Scale Symposium in Aberdeen in May 2026 and is now being made publicly available to the wider oil and gas industry.
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