Reduction of Risk to the Marine Environment from Oilfield Chemicals Environmentally Improved Acid Corrosion Inhibition for Well Stimulation

Abstract Oil field chemicals are incorporated into a fluid design to solve a specific technical wellbore or matrix problem in a well, such as stimulation; water, sand, and scale control; or damage removal. By their chemistry, some chemicals have primary active ingredients that may be harmful if discharged to the environment. Improving the characteristics of these chemical products to marine life requires changes in previously acceptable products, such as elimination of restricted chemicals as well as incorporating chemical components with reduced ecotoxicity. Additional chemical alternatives should be provided to reduce the potential effects of the total chemical/fluid system. This paper focuses on the last four years of an aggressive product development for acid corrosion inhibition and application. Product improvements were achieved by eliminating restricted chemicals, decreasing product toxicity, and improving biodegradability. The aim of the paper is to demonstrate that for a complete solution, chemical reformulation and development of new chemistry must be considered hand in hand with improved operational practices to provide a maximum overall risk reduction. This paper recognizes that regulation of the use of hazardous chemicals offshore for oilfield stimulation and completion applications is one method for protecting the marine environment; however, for the long term, aggressive technical chemical improvements must continue. Development of more environmentally acceptable products does not arbitrarily mean that products are less efficient and less cost effective. More efficient products with improved ecotoxicity performance have been developed. Chemical replacement schemes are important but may be limited in what they can ultimately achieve. More important are process management and the more efficient use of chemicals with the goal of no waste.