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interface. Analytical quantification and characterization was accomplished by inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) optical
emission spectroscopy (OES) in a Varian ICP 735-ES instrument, and by NMR analyses performed in a Bruker 500-MHz
Avance spectrometer equipped with a dual-band autotunable probe. All samples were analyzed at the specific pH of elution
from the respective column experiment; that is, no sample acidification was performed before ICP or NMR analyses. All
NMR measurements were performed at room temperature, with no external signal lock, and the spectrometers frequency
was externally referenced to a 0.1-M NaF ( =-119 ppm) solution before sample analysis. The samples were typically, but
not always, diluted in a 1/3 sample/D
2
O ratio (the large dilution ratio was necessary to minimize deuterium locking and
sample shimming difficulties associated with the high ionic strength of the samples, which resulted in baseline distortion).
Pulse parameters were set to 90 excitation pulse, 2,048 points acquired, 2-sec interpulse delay, and 1,200 to 4,096 transients
acquired, depending on the magnitude of the signal.
Flow Test Conducted with an Illite-Containing Sandstone Core (Bandera Outcrop).
Test A (Continuous Injection at 225F). The treatment fluid employed was injected in a continuous fashion during the
entire duration of the treatment phase. The treatment fluids pH was 2.5, containing the APCA in a 0.6 M concentration and
1% HF acid with 1% biquaternary ammonium reagent and 0.5% surfactant. The brine used in the pre- and post-flush stages
was 3% KCl. The core pore and volume dimensions were 50 mL and 1.5 12 in., respectively.
Test B (Three-Sequence at 200F). The fluid employed for this test consisted of two different treatments; the first
treatment contained only the APCA in a 0.25- and 0.6 M concentration with no HF acid, while the second treatment
contained HF acid. Both treatments were performed on the same core, and the core was shut in overnight after the first
treatment while maintained at test temperature. The brine used in the pre- and post-flush stages was 7% KCl in both
treatments. Each treatment sequence consisted of 250 mL. The core PV was 50 mL. The HF acid treatment stage contained
APCA in a 0.25-M concentration and equivalent 1.4% HF acid (2% ammonium bifluoride [ABF]) at pH 2.5 and also 5% of
quaternary ammonium reagent to disrupt or alter the interaction of fluoro-aluminate and fluorosilicates with Na
+
and/or K
+
ions.
Test C (Two-Sequence at 275F). The HF acid treatment fluid contained APCA in a 0.6 M concentration and equivalent
0.5% HF acid (0.8% ABF) with 5% of the quaternary ammonium reagent at a pH of 4. The brine used in the pre- and post-
flush stages was 5% NH
4
Cl. The PV was 12 mL, and a backpressure of 500 psi was applied in this case. In this test, all of the
acidic fluid introduced contained HF acid. The only difference from the first to the second treatment sequence was the flow
rate and volume injected: the first sequence introduced 120 mL, while the second used 60 mL. All test flow rates are noted in
Table 3.
Flow Test Conducted with Berea Sandstone Core.
Test D (Continuous at 250F). The fluid employed in this test consisted of 2.2% HF acid with a 0.6 M APCA and 5% of
quaternary ammonium reagent; the fluid pH was 2.8. A backpressure of 800 psi was applied, and confining pressure was
2,000 psi. The brine employed was 5% NH
4
Cl. The PV was 110 mL, and the core dimension was 2 5 in. The treatment
fluid, which was 5 PV, was injected in continuous fashion at a rate of 5 mL/min. The post-flush was delivered until the pH of
the effluent returned to the circumneutral range.
Flow Test Conducted with Clay/Sand Pack. The packed column dimensions were 2 10 in. in all tests involving the use of
clay/sand packs. All three of the packed columns tests (E, F, and G) were prepared with 15% clay (illite or kaolinite) in
mixed quartz (40/70- and 100-mesh sand in a 15:70 ratio).
Test E (Continuous Illite/Quartz at 250F). Test temperature was maintained at 250F, and 1,000-psi backpressure was
applied. The treatment fluid injected was 2.2% HF acid and 0.6 M APCA, including the bis-quaternary ammonium reagent at
5%, and the fluid pH was 2.8. The brine employed was only 6% NaCl. The injected volume was 160 mL, an equivalent of 2
PV at 1 mL/min; pre- and post-flush volumes were 220 and 300 mL at a flow rate of 5 mL/min.
Test F (Continuous Illite/Quartz at 300F). The fluid employed was exactly the same as that used in Test E, the only
difference being the temperature and a treatment flow rate of 3 mL/min.
4 SPE 165142
Test G (Continuous Kaolinite/Quartz at 300F). The kaolinite and sand mixture was maintained at 300F, and 1,000-psi
backpressure was applied. The treatment fluid was the same composition as the one used in Tests E and F injecting at 3
mL/min.
Flow Test Conducted with Carbonate Core (Chalk).
Test H (Chalk at 200F). Chalk-type carbonate cores with nominal permeabilities of 15 md and sizes of 1 4 in. were
used. All of the cores were sourced from quarried rock that corresponds to commercially available chalks. The cores were
oven dried in a vacuum at 220F and vacuum saturated with a 3% KCl solution to determine the PV for each core. The cores
were then placed in custom-built Hassler core holders (1- 6-in.) for testing. All tests had 2,000 to 3,000 psi of confining
stress applied to the core and a backpressure of 1,000 psi. Tests were conducted at temperatures ranging from 125 to 220F at
flow rates of 1, 5, and 10 mL/min. The treatment fluids were prepared by diluting a stock solution of the APCA, obtained
from a chemical manufacturer in its concentrated form, to concentrations of 0.6 M. The pH of the diluted stock solution was
adjusted to the desired pH of 1 to 3 with 35% HCl acid, which was monitored with a Mettler-Toledo pH combination
electrode with multipoint calibration (1.68, 4.01, 7.00, and 10.01 pH values). Preceding each core flow test, a flush with 3%
KCl was performed to obtain a permeability of the untreated core. Once a stable permeability was reached, the cell was shut
in under pressure, and the treatment solution lines were flushed with the treating solution to help ensure no dilution by
preflush brine would occur. Treating solution was then flowed until the pump pressure achieved the internal pressure of the
cell, at which point the fluid was passed through the core and flowed until breakthrough was achieved. Using the measured
PV versus amount of treating volume flowed through the core, PVbt was determined for each test to calculate how much
treatment was necessary to generate a wormhole. Different flow rates were conducted to determine the PVbt minima for each
core set.
Corrosion testing was conducted following established procedures. Additional details and results will be reported in a
subsequent communication. Biodegradation tests were performed by an independent third-party entity.
Results
It is important to note that all of the solid matrices employed during the course of testing the HF acid/APCA fluid contained
clay minerals. It is well-documented that illite is a non-expandable 1:2 aluminosilicate and can contain iron, magnesium, and
potassium in its structure. This characteristic is manifested in the ion concentration of Al, Fe, Mg, and even K found in the
effluent from the Bandera core and the illite/sand pack. The Bandera core contains naturally deposited or sedimented illite
within the pore matrix, while the illite/sand pack has a distribution of artificially but homogeneously placed illite along the
entire length of the column. Kaolinite, also non-expandable, only contains Al and Si in its structural formula, aside from
oxygen and hydrogen. Lastly, no experiment contained deliberately introduced or placed CaCO
3
in the sandstone core or
clay/sand pack; any calcium carbonate was naturally present in the porous matrix.
Flow Test Conducted with an Illite-Containing Sandstone Core (Bandera Outcrop).
Test A (Continuous Injection at 225F). A summary of flow testing conditions and results with Bandera core is provided
in Table 2. The core flow differential pressure and calculated permeability are presented in Fig. 1. The concentration of
aluminum was 3500 mg/L at the mid-point of the test and increased as the treatment fluid continued to contact the mineral
surface (Fig. 2). Magnesiums concentration levels were near constant at 4500 mg/L, and iron was 9000 to 11 000 mg/L. No
precipitate was observed in samples collected immediately nor after standing (ICP analysis was conducted after several hours
of sample collection). The silicon concentration never exceeded 500 mg/L. The brine used in the pre- and post-flush stages
was 3% KCl, and this is the reason for the increase in the K
+
after the Na
+
decreasedan ionic exchange. The treatment fluid
pH was 2.5, while the effluent pH was 5 to 6. These results are presented in Fig. 3.
Test B (Three-Sequence at 200F). The effect of the two different treatments of the APCA, 0.25- and 0.6 M
concentrations, with no HF acid are shown in Fig. 4. In Fig. 5, the same results are presented, excluding the monovalent ions
Na and K for clarity and to facilitate observation of the aluminum and silicon, which were in lower concentration. The HF
acid treatment stage effluent composition is presented in Fig. 6. The concentration of the Al ions was 2000 to 2400 mg/L,
silicon was below 300 mg/L, iron was 4000 to 6000 mg/L, and magnesium was 2300 mg/L. The dissolved calcium was 5000
to 6200 mg/L, and the Na
+
was near constant 16,000 mg/L (not shown).
Test C (Two-Sequence at 275F). The HF acid equivalent concentration in this treatment fluid was 0.5%, having 0.6 M
APCA and 5% of the quaternary ammonium reagent at a pH of 4. The results of this test are shown in Fig. 7. The
concentration of Al
3+
was 1000 mg/L in the first sequence and 3000 mg/L in the second sequence, silicon was below 300
mg/L, iron was 5000 mg/L in the first sequence and 2000 to 4000 mg/L in the second sequence, and the magnesium was
1300 to 1400 mg/L in both sequences. The dissolved calcium was 4000 to 5000 mg/L and 3000 to 3600 mg/L in the first and
second sequences, respectively. The Na
+
was near constant at 40,000 mg/L in the first sequence, but in the second sequence
only reached 32 000 mg/L.
SPE 165142 5
Flow Test Conducted with Berea Sandstone Core.
Test D (Continuous at 250F). In Test D, an equivalent of 5 PVs of the treatment fluid were injected in continuous
fashion at a rate of 5 mL/min. This high flow rate was chosen to show the effect of higher flow rates in a short core, which
was still longer than most typical core samples used in HF acid testing. The effluent composition is shown in Fig. 8, and it is
apparent that the concentration profile of the major ions oscillated significantly. The fluid also contained the highest
concentration of HF acid (2.2%).
Flow Test Conducted with Clay/Sand Pack.
Tests E and F (Continuous Illite/Quartz at 250 and 300F). The results for the 250 and the 300F tests are presented in
Figs. 9 and 10, respectively. In Test E, 2 PVs of treatment fluid were delivered, which rapidly produced dissolved aluminum
concentrations in the range of 10,000 ppm (see Fig. 9 for specific trend). It is also evident from Fig. 9 that the concentration
of sodium corresponded to that of the initial NaCl brine (5.8% measured) and then remained constant during the HF acid
stage, between 35,000 and 40,000 ppm Na. In this paper, there is no attempt to construct a mathematically derived kinetic or
thermodynamic model, but the results reported are consistent with present understanding of complexation chemistry. The
concentration of Fe
2+
peaked at 6,500 ppm and began to decrease steadily as the treatment fluid traveled through the core.
The concentration of aluminum in Test F actually reached 12,000 to 17 000 mg/Lthe high temperature likely played a
determining factorand the silicon was sustained at near 500 mg/L.
Test G (Continuous Kaolinite/Quartz at 300F). Flow Test G also produced very large quantities, 10,000 mg/L, of
dissolved aluminum and 500 mg/L of silicon. The dissolved sodium and potassium are also shown in Fig. 11. The respective
PVs and rates are reported in Table 4.
In addition, testing parameters corresponding to Tests C through G are provided in Tables 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8.
Fluorine-19 NMR Analysis. The analyses of all tests will be fully reported separately. In this paper, only the results for
Test A are presented. All signals detected are reported in the following sections and Table 9; for comparison, Table 10 lists
the chemical shift of the equilibrium species as a function of pH for the HF/F
-
pair. No signal appeared at the frequency at
which fluorosilicates resonate, in the range of -128 to -129 ppm (with respect to NaF at -119 ppm). All signals detected, from
-154 to -168 ppm, correspond to the fluoroaluminates or ligand-bound fluoroaluminates. A signal at -146 ppm could be
ascribed to the bifluoride anion. Assignment of the signals at -163 and -167 ppm is based on literature data indicating the
exchange of fluoride/HF acid with fluoride-Al
3+
-ligand (these assignments are still under investigation).
Biodegradation. Biodegradation testing results and toxicity data were obtained independently and are reported herein for
the purpose of disclosure. Other biodegradable chelating agents are reported by Frenier et al. (2003) and more recently by
Mahmoud et al. (2010).
Partition coefficient: log P
ow
<-4 (25C).
Adsorption/desorption log K
oc
: <1.5 (25C).
Toxicity: low.
Ready biodegradability: OECD 301.
Corrosion Testing
The results from one representative test conducted at 266F on a chrome alloy (2205 Cr) with the HF acid/APCA fluid
showed acceptable corrosion loss (<0.05 lbm/ft
2
) using a corrosion inhibitor (0.7%) suitable for this type of application. For
the purpose of comparison, the non-HF acid fluid was tested at a higher temperature of 300F for up to 24 hr; the corrosion
loss in this case was 0.0002 for a 0.1% inhibitor loading. Additional testing parameters are presented in Table 11.
Discussion
Only results corresponding to Test A differential pressure measurement are presented here. The differential pressure
decreased from 185 psi before HF acid treatment to 68 psi after treatment; such measurements were performed with respect
to brine. This corresponds to a change in permeability by a factor of 2.5. A notable difference from this test compared to all
others reported here is the length of treatment fluid injection. The total volume of fluid was 500 mL (10 PVs) through a 12-in.
long core. All other tests were performed on shorter cores, but none was shorter than 5-in. The results from Tests A and B
indicate that aluminum was present in the spent fluid, or the effluent, in concentrations that were in accordance with HF
acidizing standing principles. In Test B, two separate sequences of a non-HF acid-containing treatment fluid, at two distinct
concentrations, were injected to corroborate the assertion that, to dissolve aluminosilicate minerals, an HF acid-containing
fluid is necessary unless temperatures in excess of 300F are encountered. Distinctively, the results presented here
demonstrate that the fluid employed can mitigate the potential precipitation, and/or formation, of CaF
2
. The dissolved
calcium in the HF acid phase, as found in the effluent from Tests A and B and shown in Figs. 2 and 6, respectively, was
6 SPE 165142
14000 and 5000 to 6000 mg/L. No solid precipitates were detected in the effluent post-column. Notably, this type of
sandstone core, a Bandera core having mixed mineralogy, has been reported to respond negatively to an HF acid/chelating
agent (fluid pH of 4) at 300F (Mahmoud et al. 2011). One difference, aside from temperature, is that the pH of the treatment
fluid used in Tests A and B was 2.5. The results of Test A further indicate that the pH of the spent fluid never decreased
below a value of 5, always oscillating between pH 5 and 6; these results are summarized in Table 2 and are also presented in
Fig. 3. Fig. 3 also shows the concentration of the monovalent ions Na and K, along with the Al and Si.
Test B included two preflushes of APCA only, at a pH of 2, with fluid in a 0.25- and 0.6 M concentration. This test
confirmed that a chelating agent fluid, as previously discussed by others, can be used to remove calcium-induced damage in a
sandstone matrix whereby only, or preferentially, the calcium mineral is dissolved, leaving the aluminosilicates relatively
intact. The concentration of the divalent ions (Fe, Mg, Ca) shown in Fig. 4 clearly demonstrates this. Furthermore, in
reference to Test C (Fig. 4), it is of significance that the concentration of all ions in the second phase never stabilized or
attained any level of equilibrium or quasi-equilibrium. This observation is derived from the continuous and steep increase of
all the ions concentration, which also equally rapidly decreased as the treatment fluid was replaced by the brine. The specific
consequences of this observation are under investigation. While the testing parameters are differentspecifically,
temperature and treatment fluid propertiesthe results and observations point to significant conclusions. Namely, the
presence of Ca ions in spent HF acid fluid can be, within the boundaries of the testing implemented, controlled and CaF
2
, and
perhaps other fluorometallates, can be mitigated.
Test C (Two-Sequence at 275F). The amount of dissolved calcium in Test Bs HF acid phase (between 5000 to 6000
mg/L) was between the levels detected from the two non-HF acid stages4000 and 8000 mg/L because of the 0.25- and 0.6
M (pH of 2) APCA fluid. The HF acid fluid only contained a 0.25-M concentration of chelating agent. Further analysis of
this data is warranted to clearly discern the potential implications stemming from these tests, but, qualitatively, the results
indicate that Ca
2+
does not precipitate as a result of the HF acid presence. In Test A, where no preflush with APCA was
employed and the concentration of the APCA was 0.6 M, the amount of dissolved calcium was 14,000 ppm, and this test was
performed at 225F, contrasting with Test B at 200F.
Test D (Continuous at 250F). The dissolved silicon reached the highest concentration in all tests conducted, albeit peaking
and then steadily decreasing. Notably, the silicon levels reached 1000 to 1500 mg/L only after post-flush was introduced and
began to elute from the core; so, while the aluminum attained near 3000 mg/L levels during the HF acid phase, the
corresponding silicon levels were below 500 mg/L. This effect could be caused by residence time transients related to the
flow rate and/or the length of the core. The fact that the aluminum levels reached 3000 mg/L, as in the Bandera core tests,
indicates that the aluminosilicate minerals were being dissolved. The concentration of the iron peaked rapidly at 5000 mg/L
and then decreased. The calcium followed this trend, peaking at a lower level (4000 mg/L). The concentration of potassium
was less than 1000 mg/L. The sodium profile showed the most significant demarcation from all other ions, as well as from
other tests reported here. Sodium peaked at 40 000 mg/L in an increasing manner, leveled at near 24 000 mg/L while still
injecting treatment fluid, and then began to decrease as ammonium chloride exchanged the sodium.
Test F (Continuous Illite/Quartz at 300F). The test conducted with illite only entailed 2 PVs of treatment and rapidly
produced dissolved aluminum concentrations in the range of 10,000 ppm (see Fig. 10 for specific trend). It is also evident
from Fig. 10 that the concentration of sodium corresponded to that of the initial NaCl brine (5.8% measured) and then
remained constant during the HF acid stage, between 35,000 and 40,000 ppm Na. In this work, no attempt is made to
construct a mathematically derived kinetic or thermodynamic model, but the results reported are consistent with the present
understanding of complexation chemistry. The concentration of Fe
2+
peaked at 6,500 ppm and began to decrease steadily as
the treatment fluid was still traveling through the core.
Test G (Continuous Kaolinite/Quartz at 300F). The effluent analysis serves to show that the concentration of dissolved
aluminum and silicon, the only cations that comprise the kaolinite lattice, were present in similar concentrations to organic
HF acid blends and even a mud acid (10,000 mg/L of Al
3+
). Silicon was found between 700 and 500 mg/L, most likely
because of the higher temperature of this test, as also found in Test F (illite at 300F). The potassium in this test came from
the brine used as a pre and post-flush, and its concentration, 10,000 mg/L, decreased during the treatment phase as a result of
the ion exchange with sodium detected at near 32,000 mg/L.
Fluorine-19 NMR Signal Assignment. The signals detected in the Fluorine-19 NMR spectrum analysis for different
fractions collected during the respective flow tests are provided in Table 9. There were three sets of signals detected from all
acid flow experiments, which reflect the final equilibrium products from the various reactions of HF acid and chelant
occurring at temperatures above 200F on and with aluminosilicate substrates. These products have already been identified
and correspond to fluoroaluminates and fluorosilicates (Shuchart and Buster 1995). The fluorosilicates specifically
correspond to penta- and/or hexafluorosilicate species (SiF
5
-
and SiF
6
2-
) resonating at -128 to -129 ppm (low field side of the
frequency scale); the fluoroaluminates resonate in the -150 to -155 ppm range, and these are AlF
3
, AlF
2
+
and AlF
2+
(the order
of precedence of these species in the NMR frequency scale is exactly this). The fluorosilicate species, SiF
5
-
and SiF
6
2-
, were
SPE 165142 7
not detected in any of the experiments conducted above 200F for the most part; in some instances, there was a signal for
such species, but only when the pH of the solution was below 2. This also correlates to observations derived from all NMR
analyses, to be reported separately, that corroborate the loss of fluorosilicate species above a pH of 2. Gdanski (1997)
concludes that the precipitation of fluorosilicates is not significant at temperatures in excess of 250F in HCl acid aqueous
media; while, at temperatures between 150 and 225F, fluorosilicate precipitation could be highly problematic. However, this
strictly pertained to HCl acid-based fluids. In all testing conducted with the APCA/HF acid fluids, the pH of the starting
(treatment) solution was 2 or greater (0.01 mol/L nominal H+concentration). This essentially corresponds to a spent HF
acid fluid originating from an HCl/HF acid treatment fluid. The significance of these results is that the actual spent fluid
contains the AlF
x
(3-x)+
species, as well as complexed fluoroaluminate species. Such complexation, or stabilization, of the
fluoroaluminate species prevents the precipitation of AlF
3
at F/Al >2.5 or at pH >2.5 to 3. All signals detected, from -154 to
-168 ppm, corresponded to the fluoroaluminates or ligand-bound fluoroaluminates. A signal at -146 ppm could be ascribed to
the bifluoride anion, though it is difficult to come to terms with the remaining unreacted HF acid in the effluent (spent acid)
from the core. The signal detected could also have been exchanging with an Al-ligand (the APCA), but this requires
additional investigation. The lack of silicon fluoride signals in the fluorine-19 NMR precisely correlates with the low silicon
concentrations in the ICP effluent analysis. This is a consequence of the secondary reaction fully proceeding to completion
and converting all silicon fluorides to orthosilicic acid, which then proceeded to condense silicate oligomers until silica was
formed (Gorrepati et al. 2010).
Previous work by Shuchart and Buster (1995) ascribes a signal at -85.5 ppm (with respect to trifluroacetic acid) to HF
acid (this signal would be at -162 to -161 ppm when referencing NaF 0.1 M). In such work, the aqueous medium was 1.4-M
HCl acid, so the presence of free HF acid under such conditions is entirely possible, as reported for a ~48% HF solution
(Connick and Poulson 1958). The work reported in this paper corresponds to NMR analyses conducted on effluent samples
collected post-acid treatment, and the pH of such samples ranged from a pH of 0.1 to 5. From Table 10, it is evident that the
chemical shift of the HF/F
-
species, as expected, is dependent on pH. The HF species is only present at a pH less than 3;
while, at a pH greater than 4, the sole form is fluoride (F
-
). Near the pH corresponding to the acid dissociation constant for
HF acid, with a pKa of 3.1, and at the activity of the fluoride ion, the chemical shift was -139 ppm, reflecting that, in the
NMR time scale, the detected species corresponded to the bifluoride ion, HF
2
-
(Mitra and Rimstidt 2009).
Rietjens (1998) reports on the defluorination reaction of AlF
x
by citrate ion as a function of pH. A single peak was
detected for AlF
x
complexes from a pH of 3 to 5, though significant line broadening could be observed as the pH of the
solution increased. Undoubtedly, at a pH of 5 and 6, the fluorine-19 signal showed signs of extreme exchange, ligand
exchange, which corresponds to decomplexation of fluoride from aluminum. The single resonance signal detected (at -78
ppm with respect to trifluoroacetic acid) in the fluoroaluminate region was described as an AlF
x
species; whether this signal
was directly related to the citrate ligand was not explicitly identified. The pH range of all solutions analyzed in this work only
spans pH of 0.1 to 5 and, in this range, the fully deprotonated organic ligand cannot realistically form. To generate the
deprotonated species of the APCA ligand, the aqueous solution must be at a pH greater than 8, and this circumstance was
absolutely outside the working pH of any solution tested.
APCA Low-pH Carbonate Core Flow (Chalk-Type). As with most core flow studies, mineralogy and rock lithology,
naturally, played a key role; however, the following test revealed that pH and the corresponding PVbts were dependent as a
function of temperature. Trends included core flood treatments performed at temperatures of 125F and showed optimal
dissolution with a lower pH; while treatments at 220F were even more pronounced, showing again that a low pH was
desirable (Fig. 12). Results from this testing matrix highlight the distinct reactivity of this chelant where, regardless of pH
and temperature, all tests gave, in orders of magnitude, enhanced permeability, and, in no instance, was core matrix damage
observed. Contrarily, to push the boundaries of the flow matrix, excessively high flow rates (greater than 15 mL/min on 1-
4-in. cores; not shown) were conducted in which wormhole generation was still achieved and where minimal facial
dissolution was the only negative result observed.
Initial studies included core flood experiments (pending publication), which began with a pH ranging from 1 to 4. From
this screening processes, it was determined that tests using a pH of 4 did not provide low PVbt compared to tests at a lower
pH; therefore, any further core flow studies involving chalks implemented the optimal pH of 1 to 3 to ascertain optimal
PVbts.
Following treatment, characterization of these core flow studies was conducted on the spent fluid by ICP-OES/pH and of
the core by computerized tomography (CT) scanning. Analytical characterization of these initial screening tests brought to
light the chelants ability to produce efficient wormhole generation while maintaining in solution dissolved calcium, a
property that is magnified because of the ease with which the acidic fluid spends as it is transported through the matrix.
Results from the core flow test of this fully biodegradable APCA are presented in Fig. 13.
Conclusions
The initiative to obtain fluids with an improved environmental footprint that possess distinct advantages, such as stability at
higher temperature, broader pH activity, and stronger complex formation, has been facilitated by the use of chelating agents.
In the area of HF acidizing chemistry, the conceptualization of the unique HF acid reactions on clays and silica surfaces
namely, kinetic controls over the so called primary, secondary, and tertiary reactionshas facilitated fluid (Husen et al.
8 SPE 165142
2002) designs that can handle such varied reactions. The work presented here describes the development of a new acidizing
fluid containing an environmentally relevant chelating agent that satisfies the criteria of HF acidizing fluids.
The fluid has the following properties:
APCA-based.
Readily biodegradable.
Effective from 120 to 300F based on testing reported herein.
Can be efficiently used at a pH of 1 to 4, with a pH of 2 being the optimum for most applications.
Effective concentration can be 0.6 to 0.2 M, depending on pH.
Compatibility with HF acid has been corroborated.
Minimizes corrosion concerns.
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TABLE 1XRD ANALYSIS OF SANDSTONE SUBSTRATES USED IN FLOW TESTS
Mineral Composition Bandera (%) Berea (%)
Quartz SiO
2
62 89
Na-feldspar NaAlSi
3
O
8
14 1
K-feldspar KAlSi
3
O
8
0 4
Calcite CaCO
3
1 0
Dolomite CaMg(CO
3
)
2
14 2
Kaolinite Al
2
Si
2
O
5
(OH)
4
4 2
Illite/mica (K,H
3
O)(Al, Mg, Fe)
2
(Si, Al)
4
O
10
[(OH)
2
,(H
2
O)] 5 0
Chlorite (Mg, Fe)
5
Al(AlSi)
3
O
10
(OH)
8
0 2
TABLE 2SUMMARY OF FLOW TESTING CONDUCTED WITH BANDERA CORE
Flow test A B C
Temp (F) 225 200 275
Fluid injection
Continuous Sequential Sequential
First Second Third First Second
Volume (mL) 500 250 250 250 120 60
PV 10 5 5 5 10 5
Flow rate (mL/min) 2 2 2 2 2 1
Treatment Fluid
Chelant 0.6 M 0.25 M 0.6 M 0.25 M 0.6 M 0.6 M
pH, [HF acid %] 2.5 [1] 2.0 [0] 2.0 [0] 2.5 [1.4] 4.0 [0.5] 4.0 [0.5]
Effluent pH 5.16 to 6.25 6.25 to 7.55 5.68 to 7.29 5.40 to 5.92 6.21 to 7.46 6.72 to 7.34
Effluent ionic Composition
Al (mg/L) 3500 to 4500 250 500 2400 1000 3000
Ca (mg/L)
13 900 to
15 500
3800 8000 6000 5000 3600
Mg (mg/L) 4600 1100 2500 2300 1500 1300
Fe (mg/L) 9300 to 10 900 2600 5400 5600 6000 3800
10 SPE 165142
TABLE 3FLUID TREATMENT SEQUENCE FOR FLOW
TEST A AT 225F
Fluid Direction
Flow Rate
(mL/min) PV
3% KCl Inj 2 4
HF acid-stage Inj 2 10
3% KCl Inj 3 7
TABLE 4FLUID TREATMENT SEQUENCE FOR
FLOW TEST G AT 300F
Fluid Direction
Flow Rate
(mL/min) PV
KCl Inj 5 2
HF stage Inj 3 2
KCl Inj 5 5
TABLE 5FLUID TREATMENT
SEQUENCE FOR FLOW TEST B AT 200F
Fluid
Flow Rate
(mL/min) PV
7% KCl 3 5
APCA 0.25 M pH 2 2 5
7% KCl 3 10
APCA 0.6 M pH 2 2 5
7% KCl
a
3 10
HF acid-stage 2 5
7% KCl 3 5
a
Followed by shut-in (16 hr).
TABLE 6FLUID TREATMENT SEQUENCE
FOR FLOW TEST C AT 275F
Fluid
Flow Rate
(mL/min) PV
3% KCl 5 50
5% NH
4
Cl 5 8
HF acid-Stage 1 2 10
5% NH
4
Cl 5 5
3% KCl 1 8
5% NH
4
Cl 5 to 20 21
HF acid-Stage 1 1 5
5% NH
4
Cl
a
1 to 20 50
TABLE 7FLUID TREATMENT SEQUENCE FOR
FLOW TEST E AT 250F
Fluid Direction
Flow Rate
(mL/min) PV
6% NaCl Inj 5 3
HF acid-stage Inj 1 2
6% NaCl Inj 5 5
SPE 165142 11
TABLE 8FLUID TREATMENT SEQUENCE FOR
FLOW TEST F AT 300F
Fluid Direction
Flow Rate
(mL/min) PV
Organic
ammonium
Inj 5 3
HF acid-stage Inj 3 2
Organic
ammonium
Inj 5 4
TABLE 9FLUORO-CONTAINING SPECIES
DETECTED IN EFFLUENT FROM TEST A
Chemical Shift (ppm) Assignment
-146.4 HF
2
-
-154.7 AlFL
-155.7 AlF
2
L
-163.6 Complexed Al-F
-167.4 Complexed Al-F
TABLE 10FLUORINE-19 CHEMICAL SHIFT OF
HF/F
-
SPECIES AS FUNCTION OF pH
pH Chemical Shift
1 -159.5
2 -159
3 -139
4 -120
5 -119
7 -119
TABLE 11CORROSION TESTING COMPARISON
Temperature (F) Acid pH Time (hr) Alloy
Corrosion
Inhibitor Additives
Corrosion
Loss (lbm/ft
2
)
266
0.6 M APCA
3 6 2205 (22Cr)
0.7% Derivatized
tall oil
5% Bis-
quaternary
ammonium
0.049
1.3% HF acid
300 0.6 M APCA 2.5 24 2205 (22Cr)
0.1% Derivatized
tall oil
0.0002
300 0.6 M APCA 2.5 24 2205 (22Cr)
0.3% Derivatized
tall oil
0.0004
12 SPE 165142
Fig. 1Differential pressure and permeability for Flow Test A.
Fig. 2Effluent composition from Flow Test A, 225F, using 1% HF acid and 0.6 M APCA fluid.
SPE 165142 13
Fig. 3Effluent ionic anal ysis from Bandera core Flow Test A showing pH of effluent.
Fig. 4Effluent ionic anal ysis from Core Flow Test B at 200F with pH of 2 APCA (1) first sequence at 0.25-M and (2) second
sequence at 0.6 M concentration.
14 SPE 165142
Fig. 5Same as Fig. 4, Test B, without Na and K ions.
Fig. 6Effluent ionic anal ysis from Flow Test B, third sequence (pH 2.5, APCA 0.25 M, and HF acid 2.8%).
SPE 165142 15
Fig. 7Effluent for Flow Test C at 275F.
Fig. 8Effluent anal ysis of Flow Test D, Berea core, at 250F.
16 SPE 165142
Fig. 9Effluent anal ysis Test E on illite/sand pack at 250F.
Fig. 10Effluent anal ysis Test F on illite/sand pack at 300F.
SPE 165142 17
Fig, 11Effluent anal ysis Test G on kaolinite/sand pack at 300F.
Fig. 12PVbt curves for chalks at 220F.
18 SPE 165142
Fig. 13PVbt curves for chalks at 125F.