Global Oilfield Stimulation Market: Trends, Analysis, and Growth Opportunities
Oilfield Stimulation Chemicals: Enhancing Production Through Effective Downhole Treatment
Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids
One of the most common stimulation techniques employed in the oil and gas industry is hydraulic fracturing. This process involves pumping fluid down the wellbore under high pressure to create fractures in targeted areas of low permeability rock formations. The fracturing fluid primarily consists of water, which accounts for up to 99% of the total fluid by volume. Proppants such as sand are also added to the fluid to prevent the fractures from closing once the pumping pressure is removed.
In addition to water and proppants, various additives are included in fracturing fluids to optimize the treatment. For example, friction reducers are used to decrease the drag on the fluid and allow it to be pumped farther down the well. Scale inhibitors protect equipment from mineral precipitation. Biocides eliminate bacteria that feed on other components in the fluid. Surfactants and emulsifiers help the fluid transport and suspend proppants deep into the fractures. Each additive is carefully formulated for the specific geologic properties and production objectives of the well.
Acidizing Treatments
When formations contain removable materials like carbonates or clays that are reducing permeability near the wellbore, acid stimulation can be an effective alternative to hydraulic fracturing. In an acidizing treatment, hydrochloric or other acids are pumped to dissolve these materials and enlarge flow channels for oil and gas to enter the wellbore. The acid concentration, injection rates and volumes are customized based on the mineralogy and fluid chemistry of each zone.
Specialty acids may also be selected to react more selectively with certain materials over others. For instance, acid mixtures containing hydrofluoric acid can dissolve siliceous deposits while avoiding corrosion to metal pipes and casings. Tracer dyes are often included to track the propagation and distribution of the acid in the zone of interest. Clean-up agents such as chelates help remove corrosion products post-treatment and prevent formation damage. Proper design of acid systems is vital for maximizing the short-term production response from acidizing a well.
Matrix Acidizing Versus Fracture Acidizing
Conventional acidizing, also referred to as matrix acidizing, involves injecting acid below fracturing pressure so it reacts primarily with the formation directly surrounding the wellbore. This opens up flow capacity in the stimulated rock volume within a few inches to feet from the borehole. Fracture acidizing, on the other hand, pumps acid at high enough pressures and rates to create new fractures or reopen existing fractures further out in the reservoir.
The oilfield stimulation chemicals volume is much larger than matrix acidizing, potentially improving communication between the well and regions tens of feet from the well. However, fracture acidizing operations are more technically complex due to the challenges of controlling acid placement and fracture propagation underground. A thorough understanding of reservoir and fluid properties is required to match the proper acid system and pumping design to the objectives of the specific well.
Corrosion Inhibitors
Regardless of the stimulation method used, proper corrosion control inside the well is important for long-term production performance and equipment integrity. Downhole tubulars, pumps and other hardware are exposed to harsh conditions such as high temperatures, pressures, chlorides, carbon dioxide and complex downhole fluid chemistries. Corrosion can lead to perforation or blockage of internal surfaces.
Specialized corrosion inhibitors are included in stimulation treatments to form a protective film and prevent metal dissolution where it is most likely to occur. Variations of filming amines, surfactants, phosphates and other corrosion-fighting additives are tailored to the metallurgy and production systems on each well. Post-treatment programs incorporating corrosion inhibitors may also be used to safeguard long-term equipment lifespan after stimulation. With the proper corrosion management approach, operators can maximize asset value over the full economic life of oil and gas wells.
Conclusion
Oilfield stimulation chemicals incorporates a wide variety of chemical technologies optimized for unlocking reserves from unconventional or depleted reservoirs. Proper characterization of each zone's unique geologic properties is necessary to design treatments with the right stimulant, concentrations, rates and volumes. Advanced fluid systems minimize costs by using the bare minimum needed to achieve the extraction goals. Overall, proper application of stimulation solutions helps operators boost productivity, shorten project cycle times, and maximize the value of hydrocarbon assets for years to come.
Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids
One of the most common stimulation techniques employed in the oil and gas industry is hydraulic fracturing. This process involves pumping fluid down the wellbore under high pressure to create fractures in targeted areas of low permeability rock formations. The fracturing fluid primarily consists of water, which accounts for up to 99% of the total fluid by volume. Proppants such as sand are also added to the fluid to prevent the fractures from closing once the pumping pressure is removed.
In addition to water and proppants, various additives are included in fracturing fluids to optimize the treatment. For example, friction reducers are used to decrease the drag on the fluid and allow it to be pumped farther down the well. Scale inhibitors protect equipment from mineral precipitation. Biocides eliminate bacteria that feed on other components in the fluid. Surfactants and emulsifiers help the fluid transport and suspend proppants deep into the fractures. Each additive is carefully formulated for the specific geologic properties and production objectives of the well.
Acidizing Treatments
When formations contain removable materials like carbonates or clays that are reducing permeability near the wellbore, acid stimulation can be an effective alternative to hydraulic fracturing. In an acidizing treatment, hydrochloric or other acids are pumped to dissolve these materials and enlarge flow channels for oil and gas to enter the wellbore. The acid concentration, injection rates and volumes are customized based on the mineralogy and fluid chemistry of each zone.
Specialty acids may also be selected to react more selectively with certain materials over others. For instance, acid mixtures containing hydrofluoric acid can dissolve siliceous deposits while avoiding corrosion to metal pipes and casings. Tracer dyes are often included to track the propagation and distribution of the acid in the zone of interest. Clean-up agents such as chelates help remove corrosion products post-treatment and prevent formation damage. Proper design of acid systems is vital for maximizing the short-term production response from acidizing a well.
Matrix Acidizing Versus Fracture Acidizing
Conventional acidizing, also referred to as matrix acidizing, involves injecting acid below fracturing pressure so it reacts primarily with the formation directly surrounding the wellbore. This opens up flow capacity in the stimulated rock volume within a few inches to feet from the borehole. Fracture acidizing, on the other hand, pumps acid at high enough pressures and rates to create new fractures or reopen existing fractures further out in the reservoir.
The oilfield stimulation chemicals volume is much larger than matrix acidizing, potentially improving communication between the well and regions tens of feet from the well. However, fracture acidizing operations are more technically complex due to the challenges of controlling acid placement and fracture propagation underground. A thorough understanding of reservoir and fluid properties is required to match the proper acid system and pumping design to the objectives of the specific well.
Corrosion Inhibitors
Regardless of the stimulation method used, proper corrosion control inside the well is important for long-term production performance and equipment integrity. Downhole tubulars, pumps and other hardware are exposed to harsh conditions such as high temperatures, pressures, chlorides, carbon dioxide and complex downhole fluid chemistries. Corrosion can lead to perforation or blockage of internal surfaces.
Specialized corrosion inhibitors are included in stimulation treatments to form a protective film and prevent metal dissolution where it is most likely to occur. Variations of filming amines, surfactants, phosphates and other corrosion-fighting additives are tailored to the metallurgy and production systems on each well. Post-treatment programs incorporating corrosion inhibitors may also be used to safeguard long-term equipment lifespan after stimulation. With the proper corrosion management approach, operators can maximize asset value over the full economic life of oil and gas wells.
Conclusion
Oilfield stimulation chemicals incorporates a wide variety of chemical technologies optimized for unlocking reserves from unconventional or depleted reservoirs. Proper characterization of each zone's unique geologic properties is necessary to design treatments with the right stimulant, concentrations, rates and volumes. Advanced fluid systems minimize costs by using the bare minimum needed to achieve the extraction goals. Overall, proper application of stimulation solutions helps operators boost productivity, shorten project cycle times, and maximize the value of hydrocarbon assets for years to come.
