Acid Stimulation Keeps Production Pumping

The creation of SPE’s Acid Stimulation Technical Section shines a light on the technique that improves injectivity and productivity. JPT talked with the chair of the new section about the importance of the technical area. Acid stimulation is one of the most widely applied reservoir stimulation technologies. Used in carbonate and sandstone reservoirs around the world, the technique plays a critical role in improving well productivity and injectivity. It is used in giant Middle East carbonates and in Brazil’s pre-salt fields, as well as in offshore developments in the North Sea and unconventional plays in North America. The practice encompasses sandstone matrix acidizing, carbonate matrix acidizing, and acid fracturing. In carbonate formations, acid stimulation can create highly conductive flow channels through rock dissolution, often delivering meaningful production gains at a lower cost than hydraulic fracturing. In sandstone reservoirs, matrix acidizing is commonly used to remove near-wellbore damage and restore permeability. Acid fracturing combines the creation of hydraulic fractures with acid etching to enhance fracture conductivity. While the fundamental chemistry of acid stimulation has been understood for decades, the technology continues to evolve. Advances in acid systems, diversion techniques, completion designs, and treatment diagnostics are helping operators improve placement efficiency and extend stimulation coverage. At the same time, the safe handling of highly corrosive fluids remains a critical operational consideration, requiring specialized equipment and personnel training. Despite competition from hydraulic fracturing in some applications, acid stimulation retains important advantages, particularly in carbonate reservoirs, where it can provide cost-effective productivity improvements without the risks associated with proppant placement and screenout. As operators seek to maximize recovery, acid stimulation remains a cornerstone of reservoir management. As a testament to the importance of acid stimulation in production, SPE members recently formed the SPE Acid Stimulation Technical Section. JPT spoke with the chair of the new technical section, Ding Zhu, about the current state of the technology, recent innovations, and the motivation behind the formation of the technical section. She is a professor of petroleum engineering and holds the McCain Engineering Chair at Texas A&M University. Zhu holds a BS degree in mechanical engineering from Beijing University of Science and Technology and MS and PhD degrees in petroleum engineering from The University of Texas at Austin.