A modified acid system to enhance carbonate matrix acid stimulation: An experimental study

Abstract

AbstractIn carbonate matrix acidizing, the critical design parameters are interstitial velocity and pore volume to breakthrough for wormhole propagation (vi, opt and PVBT,opt). Hydrochloric acid (HCl), the most commonly used acid in carbonate acidizing, sometimes shows low efficiency because the injection rate needed for optimal wormhole propagation is not attainable, especially for when long completion intervals, low permeability carbonates, or coiled tubing operations are involved. It also raises safety, corrosion, and environmental concerns. When conventional retarded acid systems are used to overcome these challenges, the efficiency of acid stimulation often suffers from low reaction rate. This study presents testing results of a modified acid system that has controlled reaction rate with favourable wormhole propagation characteristics, especially at low interstitial velocities. Due to the increased activation energy barriers utilized in these modified‐acid systems, it is possible to control the reaction rate of the hydrogen proton and optimize the wormholing effect based on the completion method and formation specifications. Laboratory linear core flooding experiments and acid jetting experiments were conducted to study the wormhole efficiency with the new acid systems. The experimental results showed clear advantages of the modified acid systems. The modified acids have similar or better wormhole efficiency parameters compared with HCl having comparable dissolving power. When combined with acid jetting, further improvement in wormhole growth in low permeability limestone is achieved. In addition to minimizing the hazardous exposure levels and corrosion rates compared with HCl, the new acid system provides the positive aspects of solubilizing ability, thus improving optimal wormhole conditions.