Abstract:
General Background: Horizontal wells often exhibit low productivity due to formation damage induced by drilling, work-over, production, and injection operations, which impair the physical integrity around the wellbore. Specific Background: Matrix acidizing has been widely adopted to mitigate such damage, especially in complex horizontal well environments where acid distribution along the wellbore directly influences stimulation effectiveness. The process is particularly intricate in reservoirs with varying geological properties, necessitating a thorough understanding of acid-rock interactions and damage mechanisms. Knowledge Gap: Despite extensive historical use of acidizing since the late 19th century, challenges remain in optimizing acid placement, minimizing formation damage, and enhancing well productivity, especially in heterogeneous reservoirs. Aims: This study investigates the mechanisms of formation damage, evaluates the role of different acid types and additives in carbonate and sandstone reservoirs, and models acid distribution to improve stimulation outcomes in long horizontal wells. Results: The modeling approach effectively simulates acid placement and wormhole formation, demonstrating enhanced productivity and damage mitigation. Historical advancements, from early HCl treatments to modern mud acid applications, were analyzed to contextualize current practices. Novelty: The integration of advanced simulation techniques with an in-depth analysis of acid interactions offers new insights into optimizing matrix acidizing, particularly under variable reservoir conditions. Implications: The findings provide a framework for designing more efficient acidizing treatments, reducing operational costs, and improving hydrocarbon recovery. This research contributes to the broader understanding of formation damage control, guiding future strategies in well stimulation and reservoir management.
Highlights:
- Formation Damage: Causes, impact, and mitigation strategies.
- Acidizing Process: Optimization of acid placement and additive use.
- Modeling Approach: Simulates acid flow for better well stimulation.
Keywords: Horizontal wells, Formation damage, Matrix acidizing, Acid-rock interaction, Well stimulation
References
. M. J. Economides, A. D. Hill, and C. Ehlig-Economides: Petroleum Production Systems, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1994.
. P. Rae and G. Di Lullo,: “Matrix Acid Stimulation – A Review of the State-ofthe-Art,” paper SPE 82260 presented at the 2003 SPE European Formation Damage Conference, The Hague, 13-14 May.
. A. T. Jones and D. R. Davies : “Quantifying Acid Placement: The Key to Understanding Damage Removal in Horizontal Wells,” paper SPE 31146 presented at the 1996 SPE Formation Damage Control Symposium, 14-15 February, Lafayette, Louisiana.
. M. Buijse and G. Glasbergen : “Improved Acid Diversion Using a Placement Simulator,” paper SPE 102412 presented at 2006 SPE Russian Oil and Gas Technical Conference and Exhibition, Moscow, Russia, October 3-6.
. L. D. Eckerfield, D. Zhu, A. D. Hill, R. L. Thomas, J. A. Robert, and K. Bartko : “Fluid Placement Model for Horizontal-Well Stimulation,” SPE Drilling &Completions, (September 2000) 15, No. 3.
. R. Gdanski : “Recent Advances in Carbonate Stimulation,” paper IPTC 10693 presented at the 2005 International Petroleum Technology Conference, 21-23 November, Doha, Qatar.
. Bazin, P. Charbonnel, and A. Onaisi : “Strategy Optimization for Matrix Treatments of Horizontal Drains in Carbonate Reservoirs, Use of Self-Gelling Acid Diverter,” paper SPE 54720 presented at the 1999 SPE European Formation Damage Conference, The Hague, 31st May-1st June.
. W.P. Mitchell, D. Stemberger, and A.N. Martin, : “Is Acid Placement Through Coiled Tubing Better Than Bullheading?,” paper SPE 81731 presented at the 2003 SPE/ICoTA Coiled Tubing Conference, Houston, Texas, 8-9 April.
. J. Lee, J.B. Rollins, and J.P. Spivey, : Pressure Transient Testing, SPE Textbook Series, Vol. 9, SPE, Richardson, Texas (2003).
. C.N. Fredd, and M.J. Miller, “Validation of Carbonate Matrix Stimulation Models,” paper SPE 58713, presented at the 2000 SPE International Symposium On Formation Damage Control, Lafayette, LA, February 23-24, 2000.
. D. Hill, D. Zhu, and Y. Wang, “The Effect of Wormholing on the FluidLoss Coefficient in Acid Fracturing,” SPE Production and Facilities, (November 1995) 10, No. 4.
. Varun Mishra, A Model for Matrix Acidizing of Long Horizontal Well in Carbonate Reservoirs, 2007, Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science.
. Sandrine Portier, Laurent André and François-D. Vuataz, Review on chemical stimulation techniques in oil Industry and applications to geothermal systems, 2007, ENhanced Geothermal Innovative Network for Europe, Work Package 4 : Drilling, stimulation and reservoir assessment, Participant No 28: Deep Heat Mining Association – DHMA, Switzerland.
. D.H. Brannon, C.K. Netters, and P.J. Grimmer, 1987. Matrix Acidizing Design and Quality- Control Techniques Prove Successful in Main Pass Area Sandstone (includes associated papers 17274 and 17466). J Pet Technol 39 (8): 931-942. SPE-14827-PA. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/14827-PA.
. R. Gdanski, 1999. A Fundamentally New Model of Acid Wormholing in Carbonates. Presented at the SPE European Formation Damage Conference, The Hague, Netherlands, 31 May-1 June 1999. SPE-54719-MS.http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/54719-MS.
. T.P. Frick and M.J. Economides, 1996. State-Of-The-Art In The Matrix Stimulation Of Horizontal Wells. SPE Advanced Technology Series 4 (1): 94-102. SPE-26997-PA. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/26997-PA.
. H.G. Kozik, and S.A. Holditch, 1981. A Case History for Massive Hydraulic Fracturing the Cotton Valley Lime Matrix, Fallon and Personville Fields. SPE Journal of Petroleum Technology 33 (2): 229-244. 00007911. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/7911-PA.
. Hassan, A. Hassan 2017, Experimental Investigation of Nano Alumina and Nano Silica on Strength and Consistency of Oil Well Cement. Number 12, Volume 23, December, 2017, Journal of Engineering, Baghdad University.
. H.O. McLeod, 1986. Matrix Acidizing to Improve Well Performance. Short Course Manual. Richardson, Texas: SPE.
. H.O. McLeod, 1989. Significant Factors for Successful Matrix Acidizing. Presented at the SPE Centennial Symposium at New Mexico Tech, Socorro, New Mexico, 16-19 October 1989. SPE-20155-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/20155-MS.
. Zhu, A.D. Hill, and M.D. Looney, 2000. Evaluation of Acid Treatments in Horizontal Wells. Presented at the SPE Permian Basin Oil and Gas Recovery Conference, Midland, Texas, 21-23 March 2000. SPE-59804-MS.http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/59804-MS.
. G. Nitters, L. Roodhart, H. Jongma, et al. 2000. Structured Approach to Advanced Candidate Selection and Treatment Design of Stimulation Treatments. Presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Dallas, Texas, 1–4 October. SPE-63179-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/63179-MS .
. S. Mohammed, Muhel Abdulwahab Abdulrazaq, 2017. Calculating Production Rate of each Branch of a Multilateral Well Using Multi-Segment Well Model: Field Example, Number 11, Volume 23 November 2017, Journal of Engineering, Baghdad University.
. C.D. Wehunt, H. Van Arsdale, J.L. Warner, et al. 1993. Laboratory Acidization of an Eolian Sandstone at 380F. Presented at the SPE International Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry, New Orleans, Louisiana, 2-5 March 1993. SPE-25211-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/25211-MS.
. Tupã, P.; Aum, P.; Souza, T. N.; Aum, Y. K. P. G.; de Castro Dantas, T. N.; Dantas Neto, A. A. New Acid O/W Microemulsion Systems for Application in Carbonate Acidizing. Int. J. Adv. Sci. Technol. Res. 2016, 1 (6), 182– 196.
. Muhammad M. Yousufi, Mysara E. Mohyaldinn Elhaj, Iskandar Bin D. 2024, A Review on Use of Emulsified Acids for Matrix Acidizing in Carbonate Reservoirs, American Chemical Society, ACS, pages 11027 – 11049.