Matrix

Stimulation
Lab Tests
 Matrix Acidizing
 Matrix acidizing is a technique in
which an acid solution is injected
inside the formation at pressures
below fracture pressure, in order
to dissolve minerals present in
the formation pores thus
recovering permeability in the
area surrounding the well.
 Acid stimulation can greatly
increase the production of a well
only in cases where there is
formation damage close to the
hole and the reservoir has
enough pressure to increase
productivity.
 Acid Laboratory Studies
 Basic:
 Porosity
 Permeability Measurement
 Local:
 Acid Strength
 Acid Solubility
 Scale Analysis
 Water Analysis
 Water Sensitivity Test
 Emulsion & Sludge Tests
 Regional:
 Flow Test ( ARC )
 X-Ray Analysis
 SEM, EDAX Study
 Thin-Section
 Porosity & Permeability Measurement
 Cores are used from the well in question or offset wells.
 Porosity:
– Different techniques used for figuring interconnected porosity.
 Permeability:
– K is most often determined to N2 gas using a gas permeameter.

Helium Porosimeter N2 Permeameter

 Acid Strength
 Hydrometer
– SP. GR. can be directly related to HCl%.
– For HCl/HF Acids, this is not true.
– If no weighting agent is present, density is proportional to
acid concentration

 Titration
– Most reliable
– Correct titration procedure can detect the strength of any
acid.
 Solubility Tests
 Amount of material dissolved in a given solvent.
 1 gram core sample in 100 ml acid @ 150oF for 1 hr
 HCl solubility (15%) = carbonate content
 Mud Acid (12:3) solubility = carbonate & fines content
– Clay Acid if HCl solubility is > 20%
 Other minerals and scales
 General Procedure
 Ground rock to 10 mesh size.
 1 gram placed into an excess of 15% HCl (100cc).
 Allow to react at given temp for 1 hour.
 Residue Filtered out, dried and weighed.
 Calculate % material dissolved.
 Repeat procedure with RMA if you have a sandstone.
 Iron content in spent acid can be determined to give an indication of Iron
Control needed.
 Scales
 Prediction of Problem (Stiff-Davis Calculation)

SI = pH - pCa - pALK - K

 Stability Index
– If: SI > O Precipitation likely
– SI < O Precipitation not likely
 Scale Identification & Organic
Deposits
 Scale identification
– XRD
– Chemical Analysis

 Organic Deposits
– Asphalt and Paraffin
– Evaluate crude production
for % Asphalt and paraffin
content
– Solvents for Dissolution
 Core Flow Tests
 Tests are performed to determine the compatibility of
the stimulation fluid with the formation.
 Down Hole conditions can be simulated “212 oF and
1500 psi Pwf”
 Results:
– Qualitative - gives a good idea of what we cannot do.
– Will illustrate compatibility problems.
– Acid Response Curve will evolute K as a function of time
or pore volume
 Limitations:
– Not for use on carbonate or unconsolidated cores
– Cores are only 1- 3" long
– Core has been cleaned, does not simulate damage
removal
– Qualitative data, cannot be used for determining treatment
volumes
 ARC Test
2000

1800
Permeability (mD)

1200 NH4Cl 3%

HCl

800

NH4Cl 3%
400

0
300 600 900 1200 1500

Volume (ml)
 Water Sensitivity Test Procedure

 1 N-Hexane
 2 Isopropanol
 3 N-Hexane
 4 Isopropanol
 5 3% CaCl2
 6 Distilled Water
 7 3% NaCl
 8 Distilled Water
 Emulsions
 Emulsions:
– A mixture of two normally immiscible
fluids.
– Emulsifying Agents our naturally
occurring in crude oils.
 Treatment:
– Prevention (mutual solvents and
surfactants)
– Test treatment fluids + additives
with formation fluids prior to
pumping.
– Methodology followed for emulsion
removal and prevention.
 Emulsion Tests
 General Procedure:
– Generate Emulsion tank shaking with crude or brine.
– When testing acids, use all additives.

Vol. Emulsion Remaining

% Breakout = 100% - x 100
Vol. of Test Oil

 Record % Breakout Vs. Time Emulsion

Water
 Emulsion Types:
– Water in Oil (WO)
– Oil in Water (OW)
 Sludge Testing
 Sludge
– Chemically complex heavy fractions in
crude.
– Higher Acid concentration greater
tendency to form sludge.
 General Procedure
– Filter crude through 20 mesh
– Mix 50 cc of Acid + all additives with 50
cc of crude
– Agitate 1 min.
– Place in water bath at temp. for minimum
of 4 hours.
– Pour through wire screen. Observe
presence of sludge?
 Prevention
– Surfactants
 X-Ray Diffraction
 X-ray analysis of crystalline
minerals; i.e. clays, feldspar, etc.
 This tells us the amounts of
crystalline material in the sample.
Can also be used for scale analysis.
Obtain mineralogical analysis.
 Reveals:
– Crystalline material
– Can identify crystalline scale
– Accurate qualitative description
 SEM / EDAX
 SEM “Scanning Electron Microscope” - 5000 X
photograph. Coat 0.5g sample (whole) with gold.
Gold acts as a reflector for electron beam
directed at the sample.
 Process takes place in a vacuum.
 Electrons have much shorter wave length than
light.
 We can “see” the rock, and how it is physically
made up, and where the clays exist.
 SEM:
– Large Range of Focus: 20x to 80,000x
– Excellent Depth of Focus
– Allows us to see the rock's make-up,
including clays.
 EDAX:
– Similar to XRD, allows for qualitative mineral
ID.
– Pin Point Elemental Analysis
 Thin Section

 A petrograph (thin section) study is

used to determine :
 Type of minerals present
 Location of minerals
 Calcite cemented Vs. quartz
cemented
 Reveals:
– Location of porosity
– Mineralogy around pores
– Cementing material