A New Environmentally Friendly Clay Stabilizer

Abstract

Clay stabilizers are used to prevent fines migration and clay swelling, which are caused by the contact of clays with low salinity or high pH fluids. Previously used clay stabilizers, including hydroxy-aluminum, zirconium oxychloride solutions, and cationic polymers have several drawbacks. Hydroxy-aluminum and zirconium oxychloride solutions can be leached by acids (Coppel et al. 1973). Cationic organic polymers can cause formation damage in some cases . Their environmental impact is also questionable (Patel 2009). There is a need to develop new clay stabilizers that can work with acid treatments and that are environmentally acceptable.Laboratory studies were conducted on a newly developed inorganic aluminum/zirconium-based compound. Coreflood experiments were conducted on Berea sandstone cores (1.5 in. in diameter, 6 and 20 in. in length) to assess the effectiveness of the new compound at high temperatures and determine the impact of acids on its performance. Inductively coupled plasma was used to measure the concentrations of aluminum and zirconium in the coreflood effluent samples.The new clay stabilizer was very effective in mitigating fines migration. Experimental results showed that unlike previous Al/ Zr compounds, the new stabilizer was effective even after using several 15 wt% HCl acid washes. In addition, it did not cause formation damage, and worked very well up to 300 F. It is nontoxic, with no smell, and environmentally friendly.

Clay stabilization

“…In addition, it did not cause formation damage, and worked very well up to 150 • C. It is nontoxic, with no smell, and environmentally friendly [82]. Unlike conventional aluminum/zirconium-based compounds, the new stabilizer was effective even after using several 15% HCl acid washes.…”

“…Inductively coupled plasma was used to measure the concentrations of aluminum and zirconium in the coreflood effluent samples [82]. Coreflood experiments were conducted on Berea sandstone cores with 1.5 in.…”

A Collective Clay Stabilizers Review

“…NH 4 Cl has a critical salt concentration 0.013 moles/L . The primary concerns of these salts are their temporary stabilization effect, mixing of large quantities, disposal of unused material and difficulties in handling (El-Monier and Nasr-El-Din, 2013;Patel, 2009).…”

“…The COP limitations are mainly concerning the large size of these molecules when pumped in low permeability formations, which would induce plugging, especially in formations with permeability below 30 md. (Himes et al 1991;Nasr-el-din et al 1999;El-Monier and Nasr-El-Din, 2013;Nasr-El-Din et al 1998;Baltz et al 1989).…”

Performance of cationic β‐cyclodextrin as a clay stabilizer for use in enhanced oil recovery

“…During the past decades, many water-soluble polymers have been used as clay stabilizers in drilling fluid systems to inhibit clay swelling and migration. The water-soluble polymers used so far include inorganic polymers [3,4], uncharged polymers [5,6], anionic polymers, cationic polymers [7,8], and zwitterionic polymers [9,10]. These fluids have several drawbacks in inhibiting clay swelling and migration on drilling operations.…”