Streamlining Acid Remediation: Innovations in Biosurfactant Additives for Reduced Chemical Volumes and Enhanced Operations

Abstract Inorganic scale dissolution with hydrochloric acid requires various supplemental chemistries to ensure effective and complete contact of acid with scale. The deployment of multiple chemistries adds complexity and cost to acid remediation jobs. To streamline and enhance acidizing efficiency, a biosurfactant-based acid additive has been developed. This microemulsion, which combines functional chemistry with multifunctional biosurfactant molecules, eliminates the need for additional chemicals, serving as solvent, surfactant, and anti-sludge agent within a single chemical package. Lab testing revealed that the novel microemulsion not only matches but often surpasses the performance of traditional surfactants in terms of surface activity, wettability alteration, and emulsion tendency. Anti-sludge testing shows a significant decrease in sludge without traditional iron chelators. Detergency tests comparing the microemulsion in acid to typical acidizing fluids demonstrate superior capability in removing crude oil from carbonate surfaces. Field deployment of this product resulted in an 80% reduction in ancillary chemical volumes and the complete elimination of solvent, surfactant, and anti-sludge agent. Since May 2023, none of the 800+ treated wells have required additional acid applications, providing compelling evidence of the sustained efficacy and lasting impact achieved through the utilization of biosurfactant-based technologies. Both laboratory data and case studies highlight complete or partial elimination of ancillary chemicals with improved detergency and surfactancy in a single additive. By harnessing the robust performance attributes of a naturally produced, multifunctional biosurfactant, acidizing jobs, like scale soaks, are simplified by reducing the number of stages required to deliver the ancillary additives and eliminating the need for high volumes of toxic solvents. Furthermore, the biosurfactant microemulsion additive is more effective than traditional acidizing additives at significantly lower dosage rates, offering a cost-effective alternative to change the way the industry approaches acid remediation.