Formation Damage and Compatibility Issues Associated with Use of Corrosion Inhibitors in Well Acidizing - A Review

Abstract Corrosion inhibitors are active chemical species that interact with other fluids and reservoir rock. This interaction affects the performance of some additives. It can also lead to formation damage. Finally, corrosion inhibitors change physical properties of the acid used in treatment. The objective of this paper is to discuss (1) the interactions between corrosion inhibitors and other additives used in well acidizing, and (2) formation damage mechanisms associated with corrosion inhibitors. This paper reviews research work and provides the description of the interactions of corrosion inhibitors with additives, acids, and reservoir rock. The reported here results are summarized based on the previously published experimental results and field cases. Analysis of these results provides greater understanding of the interactions between corrosion inhibitors and other stimulation fluids. Observed trends can be useful for compatibility analysis and design of well stimulation treatemnts. Comprehensive analysis of the literature revealed the most common problems with the application of corrosion inhibitors in acidizing treatments. It was found that performance of viscoelastic surfactants, polyacrylamide-based polymers, hydrate inhibitors, and hydrochloric acid can be negatively affected by corrosion inhibitors. Also, it was concluded that biocides, anionic surfactants, antisludging agents, mutual solvents and short chain alcohols reduce the effectiveness of corrosion inhibitors. Finally, it is clear that a low concentration of corrosion inhibitors results in damage of tubulars. However, excessive use of corrosion inhibitors can interfere with the reservoir rock and cause wettability changes. These compatibility issues may cause formation damage, obscure the acid reaction, and can lead to failure of an acidizing treatment. This work summarizes the issues with use of corrosion inhibitors in well stimulation applications. Chemical components and formulation of corrosion inhibitors are reviewed and summarized. This work reveals the scope of the problems associated with implementation of corrosion inhibitors and other additives used in acidizing of sandstone and carbonate reservoirs.