Effect of an Antiscaling Reagent on Well Performance Stability in In Situ Uranium Leaching

This study investigates the effect of uranium in situ leaching using solutions containing an antiscaling inhibitor on the productivity and workover interval of technological wells. For the first time, the relationship between calcium ion (Ca2+) dissolution and inhibitor concentration has been established, as well as its impact on redox potential and uranium concentration dynamics during the leaching process. Laboratory and pilot-scale field studies demonstrated that the application of the antiscaling reagent significantly enhances calcium dissolution, preventing the formation of colmatation deposits in the near-wellbore zone. The maximum Ca2+ dissolution was achieved at an optimal inhibitor concentration of 2%, reaching up to 760 mg/dm3. The implementation of the inhibitor in industrial conditions resulted in improved well productivity and an increase in the workover interval by up to 28% compared to the baseline technology. The obtained results confirm the effectiveness of inhibitor application for improving the operational performance of wells in uranium in situ leaching.