Preparation and Performance Evaluation of Quaternary Ammonium Cationic Clay Stabilizer for Oilfield Use

Abstract

Acidizing is a crucial technique in the development of low permeability reservoirs in offshore oil fields. The introduction of acid into the formation can lead to the degradation of the clay mineral structure, causing the expansion and migration of clay particles that obstruct the flow of acid channels. The addition of a clay stabilizer with excellent properties can prevent the hydration and expansion of clay, as well as recover damage caused by long-term acidification, such as expansion, dispersion, and migration. To achieve this, the dendritic quaternary ammonium salt ZS-A was synthesized through a quaternization reaction, and subsequently used to develop the clay stabilizer ZSFP. In this study, the properties of clay stabilizer were investigated, including anti-swelling, acid and alkali resistance, water washing resistance, mudstone loss rate, and permeability retention. The results demonstrate that the ZSFP clay stabilizer performs well in terms of anti-swelling, acid-base compatibility, water washing resistance. This clay stabilizer can effectively reduce water-sensitive damage to the reservoir and protect it during acidizing operations.