Hydrocarbon-acid emulsion compositions and associated methods

• US 20080179062A1
• Filed: 01/26/2007
• Published: 07/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Watkins, M. Hunter, van Domelen, Mary, Taylor, Robert S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,541,347 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/308.2
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/74 combined with additives added for specific purposes
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/27 by use of eroding chemicals, e.g. acids

Abstract

Methods that include a method comprising providing a hydrocarbon-acid emulsion composition that comprises an acid phase, a hydrocarbon blend phase, and an emulsifying agent; and placing the hydrocarbon-acid emulsion composition in a subterranean formation. In some embodiments, the hydrocarbon blend phase comprises at least about 65% hydrocarbons having from six carbons (C₆) through eleven carbons (C₁₁). In other embodiments, the hydrocarbon blend phase has a flash point greater than about 100° F. Additional methods are also provided.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing a hydrocarbon-acid emulsion composition that comprises an acid phase, a hydrocarbon blend phase comprising at least about 65% hydrocarbons having from six carbons (C₆) through eleven carbons (C₁₁), and an emulsifying agent; and

placing the hydrocarbon-acid emulsion composition in a subterranean formation.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the hydrocarbon-acid emulsion composition is placed in the subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create or enhance a fracture in the subterranean formation.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein placing the hydrocarbon-acid emulsion composition in the subterranean formation comprises placing the hydrocarbon-acid emulsion composition in a well bore penetrating the subterranean formation.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the hydrocarbon blend phase comprises less than about 5% hydrocarbons having more than ten carbons (C₁₀).

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the hydrocarbon blend phase comprises less than about 5% hydrocarbons having fewer than seven carbons (C₇).

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the hydrocarbon blend comprises substantially no hydrocarbons having more than eleven carbons (C₁₁).

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the hydrocarbon-acid emulsion composition further comprises particulates.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the acid phase comprises an acid composition selected from the group consisting of an acid, an alcoholic acid, an acid generating compound, and a combination thereof.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the hydrocarbon blend phase is external and the acid phase is internal.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the hydrocarbon blend phase is internal and the acid phase is external.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the emulsifying agent is selected from the group consisting of a fatty alkanol amide and a blend of an amphoteric amine salt, a phosphate ester, an ethoxylated dialkyl phenol, and a propylene glycol ether.

12. A method comprising:

providing an hydrocarbon-acid emulsion composition that comprises an acid phase, a hydrocarbon blend phase that has a flash point greater than about 100°

F., and an emulsifying agent; and

placing the hydrocarbon-acid emulsion composition in a subterranean formation.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the hydrocarbon-acid emulsion composition is placed in the subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create or enhance a fracture in the subterranean formation.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein placing the hydrocarbon-acid emulsion composition in the subterranean formation comprises placing the hydrocarbon-acid emulsion composition in a well bore penetrating the subterranean formation.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the hydrocarbon blend phase has a Reid vapor pressure below about 2 psi.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the acid phase comprises an acid composition selected from the group consisting of an acid, an alcoholic acid, an acid generating compound, and a combination thereof.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein the hydrocarbon blend phase is external and the acid phase is internal.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein the hydrocarbon blend phase is internal and the acid phase is external.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein the emulsifying agent is selected from the group consisting of a fatty alkanol amide and a blend of an amphoteric amine salt, a phosphate ester, an ethoxylated dialkyl phenol, and a propylene glycol ether.

20. A method of treating at least a portion of a subterranean formation comprising:

providing a hydrocarbon-acid emulsion composition that comprises an acid phase, a hydrocarbon blend phase comprising at least about 65% hydrocarbons having from six carbons (C₆) through eleven carbons (C₁₁), and an emulsifying agent;

placing the hydrocarbon-acid emulsion composition in a subterranean formation; and

allowing the hydrocarbon-acid emulsion composition to at least partially displace a condensate blockage.