SPE 90383

Lessons Learned from Using Viscoelastic Surfactants in Well Stimulation

Hisham A. Nasr-El-Din, Saudi Aramco; Ray Tibbles and Mathew Samuel, Schlumberger, All SPE
Copyright 2004, Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc.
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Abstract
Viscoelastic surfactant systems are used in the industry for
several applications. Initially, the application was focused on
low friction and solids suspension (fracturing and CTcleanout) characteristics of the fluid. In the last three years,
the application of viscoelastic surfactants was extended to
acid-based systems for carbonate stimulation. These
surfactants have the ability to significantly increase the
apparent viscosity and elastic properties of the treating fluids.
This is due to the ability of surfactant monomers to associate
and form rod-shaped micellar structures under certain
conditions.
Viscoelastic surfactant-based acid systems have been used
in Saudi Arabian fields in matrix acid stimulation, and in leakoff control acids during acid fracturing treatments. These
surfactants were used to provide diversion during acidizing of
vertical, long horizontal and multi-lateral wells. They were
used in sour environments where hydrogen sulfide levels
reached nearly 10 mol%. They were also utilized in gas wells
to reduce acid leakoff, and create deep fractures in dolomitic
carbonate reservoirs (250-275F). In addition, they were
successfully employed to stimulate seawater injectors and
disposal wells where the temperature was in the range of 100120F.
More than 150 wells (oil, gas, water injectors and disposal
wells) were treated with viscoelastic surfactant-based acid
systems. The acid was placed either by bullheading, by using
coiled tubing with or without a tractor. In some cases, these
treatments included stages of emulsified or regular acids. All
these wells responded positively to the treatment. There were
no operational problems encountered during pumping these
acids even when low permeability reservoirs were treated.
Because these acid systems do not contain polymer, there was
no need to flow back water injectors. However, the spent acid
in oil and gas wells was lifted from the treated wells in a very
short period of time. Finally, wells treated with surfactant-

based acid systems showed sustained performance for longer

times than wells treated with other acid systems.
Introduction
Matrix acidizing and fracturing treatments have been used to
enhance the performance of oil, gas and water wells for
several decades. Water and acid-soluble polymers have been
used in these treatments to increase viscosity and hence,
enhance diversion during matrix acidizing treatments. High
viscosity fluids are needed during acid fracturing treatments to
reduce leak-off rate during acid injection into the fracture.
Various acid systems were introduced to enhance acid
diversion by increasing the viscosity of the injected acid.
Depending on the viscosifiying agent, these systems can be
divided into two main categories: polymer-based acids and
surfactant-based acids.
Acid-soluble polymers have been used to increase the
viscosity of HCl, and to improve its performance.1,2 As the
viscosity of the acid increases, the rate of acid spending
decreases and, as a result, deeper acid penetration into the
formation can be achieved.3
The addition of uncross-linked polymers to HCl improved
acid penetration, however, acid placement did not significantly
improve.4 Cross-linked acids were introduced in the mid 70s
as was cited by Metcalf et al.5 These acids have much higher
viscosity than regular acids or acids containing uncross-linked
polymers. Two types of cross-linked acids are available. The
first type consists of a polymer, a cross-linker, and other acid
additives.6 The acid in this case is cross-linked on the surface
and reaches the formation already cross-linked. The second
type of cross-linked acid consists of a polymer, a cross-linker,
a buffer, a breaker, and other acid additives, e.g., corrosion
inhibitors and surfactants. The acid in this case reaches the
formation uncross-linked, and the cross-linking reaction
occurs in the formation.7
The polymer used in the in-situ acid systems is a copolymer of acrylamide. This type of polymer is soluble in
HCl acid over a wide range of acid concentration (1 to 28 wt%
HCl). The polymer is cross-linked using multi-valent cations,
e.g., Fe(III) and Zr(IV), via the carboxylate groups.3,8
It has been reported that the polymer in this system forms a
gel within a narrow pH range.7 As a result of gel formation,
the viscosity of the acid increases in-situ and acid diversion
can be achieved. This gel will improve acid placement in
matrix acidizing, provide more uniform damage removal, and
control acid fluid loss in acid fracture treatments.
In-situ gelled acids were the subject of several lab and field
studies. In general, lab and field results were positive,

SPE 90383

however there were several concerns raised about these acids.

Taylor and Nasr-El-Din.7,9 noted that in-situ gelled acids
caused loss of core permeability in tight carbonate cores.
Permeability loss was attributed to polymer retention in the
core and on the injection face of the core. Lynn and Nasr-ElDin10 noted precipitation of the cross-linker (iron) when in-situ
gelled acids were used to enhance the permeability of tight
cores at high temperatures. Nasr-El-Din et al.11 showed that
the cross-linker (Fe(III)) may precipitate in sour environments.
Nasr-el-Din et al.12,13 found that hydrogen sulfide scavengers
(aldehydes) may interact with the polymer and lose their
ability to remove hydrogen sulfide.
To overcome potential problems associated with
polymer-based acids, surfactant-based acids were introduced
over the last three years. When stimulating a carbonate
reservoir, the HCl present in the system will react with
carbonate minerals (calcite and dolomite) as shown in Eqs. 1
and 2:
CaCO3 + 2 HCl CaCl2 + CO2 + H2O

(1)

CaMg(CO3)2 + 4 HCl CaCl2 + MgCl2 + 2CO2 + 2H2O

(2)

As the acid reacts with carbonate minerals, the pH rises

and the concentration of calcium chloride, magnesium
chloride, and or both will increase. The presence of salts and
the increase in pH will cause the molecules of the surfactant
(amphoteric) to form long rod-like micelles. Entanglement of
these micelles results in a 3-D structure, which will increase
the apparent viscosity of the solution.14,15
To break the gelled spent acid, one needs to convert the
micelles from a rod-shape into spherical ones. This can be
done by reducing the concentration by dilution or by mixing
the spent acid with a hydrocarbon phase (oil, condensate, or
mutual solvent).
Diversion Using Inert Fluids
The first property that can be used in matrix acidizing is the
ability of viscoleastic-surfactant solutions to break on contact
with hydrocarbons. The concept was introduced by Vinod et
al.14 and Chang et al.15 This idea was used to stimulate wet oil
wells. When the viscoelastic surfactant-based solution is
injected into the formation, the fluid that entered the zone with
high oil saturation would break, while the fluid entering the
water zone would remain viscous and would minimize flow of
fluids into this zone. Any acid, following the diversion stage,
would then be diverted away from the water zone into the
hydrocarbon zone.15,16 Field data showed that oil production
increased following the acid treatment, while the water-cut
decreased. While these first treatments were performed in
carbonate formations, the procedure was also shown to be
valid in sandstone acidizing for diversion away from water
producing zones.
Diversion Using Live Acids
Chang et al.17,18 showed that when a suitable viscoelastic
surfactant was added to HCl, the solution became viscous
when the acid was spent. Contrary to the behavior of polymerbased acids, the apparent viscosity of the spent acid remained
high at pH values greater than 4. Al-Ghamdi et al.19 examined

an amphoteric viscoelastic surfactant that can be used with

HCl solutions. This surfactant is cationic (carries positive
charges) in live acids. Once the acid reacts with carbonate
rocks and the pH increases to a value above 2, it becomes
anionic (carries negative charges). The increase in the
viscosity of this acid-surfactant system is due to a combination
of the rise in pH and the increase in the concentration of
divalent cations (Ca2+ and Mg2+) in the spent acid.
Al-Mutawa et al.20 reported the first field tests and
presented case histories in which a diverting acid system
successfully stimulated wells which had not responded to
previous HCl treatments. A continuous increase in the bottom
hole pressure after the viscoelastic surfactant-based fluid
arrived at the formation was a clear indication that diversion
did occur during the treatment.
Similar results were reported when the same acid system
was used in the stimulation of several gas wells in Bahrain.21
The acid system was also successful in stimulating low
temperature dolomitic oil reservoirs in Egypt.22
Leak-off Control in Acid Fracturing
The reaction of HCl with carbonate formations is fast,
especially at high temperatures. This means that the acid will
not be able to penetrate deep in the formation, which may
affect the outcome of acid fracturing treatments. Polymers
with and without cross-linkers were used to reduce the rate of
acid reaction with carbonate. However, lab results indicated
the polymer can be trapped in the wormholes and the crosslinker, especially iron, can precipitate in sour environments.
Viscoelastic surfactant-based acids were used to acid
fracture water injectors and gas wells in Saudi Arabia. The
results of these treatments will be discussed later in this paper.
During the last three years, more than 150 wells were
successfully stimulated using viscoelastic-based fluids in
Saudi Arabia. Acid treatments were conducted in carbonate
reservoirs at bottom hole temperature that varied from 100 to
275F. These treatments included both matrix and acid
fracturing using up to 28 wt% HCl.
The objectives of the present work are to: (1) discuss
application of viscoelastic surfactant-based acids in the field,
and (2) highlight lessons learned from application of this acid
system in gas, oil, and water wells with various completions
and temperatures.
Case Histories
1. Matrix Acidizing of Seawater Injectors
Seawater is being injected to maintain reservoir pressure in a
carbonate reservoir in Saudi Arabia. The vertical injectors
have an openhole completion, with injection zones of a few
hundred feet. As typical seawater injectors, these wells lose
their injectivity with time due presence of suspended solids,
corrosion products, and biomass in the injection water. Some
of these wells have large washouts, which present a real
challenge during matrix acidizing using coiled tubing. Wells
with large washouts are stimulated by bull-heading the acid,
after pickling well tubulars.
Traditionally, these wells were treated with in-situ gelled
acids and N2-foam was used as a means for diversion.
However, the results in a few cases were below expectations.

SPE 90383

This was mainly due to the use of large volumes of polymerbased acids. Some the polymer was trapped in the formation,
or formed external filter cake that caused loss of well
injectivity. These wells were flowed back after the treatment,
however this process did not remove all residual polymer from
the formation. To minimize damage due to polymer-based
acids, the acid diversion stage was limited to 25-30% of the
total acids used.23
To overcome problems associated with polymeric fluids,
viscoelastic surfactant-based fluids were utilized. Matrix
acidizing of seawater injectors was conducted by bullheading
the acid, with stages of foam. The foam in this case was
generated using a viscoelastic surfactant. No problems were
encountered during these treatments.24 Long term injection
data from treated wells showed minimal decline in the last two
years, Fig. 1. Offset wells treated with other diverting agents
have declined to pre-stimulation levels in less than six
months.25
Several lessons were learned from these cases. First,
hydrocarbons break the viscosity of viscoelastic surfactants.
In matrix acidizing of water injectors, mutual solvent
(ethlyeneglycol monobutly ether) is used in the preflush stage
to water-wet the formation, and enhance acid rock contact.
Also, acid-in-diesel emulsified acid is used to create deep
wormholes. Mutual solvents and diesel will break the viscosity
of viscoelastic surfactants. Therefore, spacers that do not
contain mutual solvent should be used before and after fluids
that contain viscoelastic surfactants. Another major concern
is ferric iron. Al-Ghamdi et al.19 found that high levels of ferric
iron can adversely affect the apparent viscosity of viscoelastic
surfactants. To address this concern, viscoelastic surfactant
based fluids should not contact ferric iron. This will require
using acid with low iron content, mixing the acid in clean
tanks, and pickling the well tubulars before the acid
treatments. These practices are important and should be used
with all matrix acid treatments whether surfactant-based acids
were used or not.
2. Matrix Stimulation of Horizontal Wells With
Openhole Completion
Reservoir heterogeneity and the length of the horizontal leg
make acid placement and diversion a real challenge. To
achieve better acid diversion in horizontal wells drilled in
carbonate reservoirs, a viscoelastic surfactant-based selfdiverting acid system was utilized.26 More than forty-five
horizontal wells with openhole completions were successfully
stimulated in two offshore oil fields in Saudi Arabia using the
new treatment system. There is a water zone 30 ft away from
these openhole (OH) sections in one of the two oil fields, and
the growth of any dominant wormhole into these sections
could increase water production. The treated wells responded
to the treatment and produced an average of 1,600 bpd oil
more than conventionally treated wells, with no indication of
water production.
A well producing at no more than 1,830 BOPD with a
FWHP of 328 psi for 4 years was matrix stimulated. This well
had a TD of 12,442 ft and the length of the open hole was
3,992 ft. A total of 10 gal/ft acid was used in the stimulation
treatment of which 3 gals/ft constituted the diverting acid

stage. The 1-inch CT could not reach TD and hence the acid
was pumped from the CT in the last 1,400 ft of the OH. After
the acid stimulation, the well has been producing at 10,900
BOPD and a FWHP of 320 psi, at the same choke. This is
more than a five fold increase in oil production at nearly the
same FWHP. Pre and post oil production and water-cut are
shown in Fig. 2. Also, several dead wells, previously
stimulated with polymer-based acids with limited success, are
now producing up to 7,500 BOPD after using surfactant-based
acid treatments.
Matrix acidizing of horizontal wells usually includes large
acid volumes with several diverting stages. Several lessons
were learned from treating more than 50 horizontal wells.
a.
The surfactant-based acid system required less
stages compared with other acid systems.
b.
The surfactant-based acid system reduced friction
losses in coiled tubing. As a result, higher pumping
rates were achieved (2.2-2.5 bpm compared to 1.51.7 bpm for polymer-based acids).
c.
Wells treated with the surfactant-based acid system
saved an average of nearly two days of rig time.
d.
Finally, the volume of surfactant-based acid
treatments was less that that used with polymerbased acid. This makes VES acid operationally
attractive, especially in offshore environments.
3. Matrix Stimulation of Water Disposal Wells
Well A is a horizontal water disposal well in a remote oil field
in Saudi Arabia. Prior to a recent matrix acid treatment, the
well was taking nearly 25 MBWD at IWHP of 1,600 psig
while an offset water disposal well was injecting around 30
MBWD with 800 psig injection pressure. It was obvious that
well A was damaged and there was a need to acidize this well
to restore its injectivity.27
A thorough analysis of disposal water samples indicated
that this well was damaged due to suspended solids: iron
sulfide, calcium carbonate and oil droplets. The total dissolved
solids of the disposal water was nearly 92,000 mg/l.
The well had 2,488 psig bottomhole pressure with 151oF
static bottomhole temperature. Before the treatment, the
average permeability was 21 mD with the highest permeability
in the formation reaching 148 mD. The significant difference
in permeability and the random distribution of these high
permeability streaks required an effective diversion during
stimulation.
The matrix acid treatment was conducted using a 2-inch
coiled tubing. During the treatment, a small but significant
increase in the injection pressure was noted while the acid was
injected at a constant rate (3 bpm). The wellhead pressure
increased throughout the treatment, which may indicate good
diversion during acid placement.
The viscoelastic surfactant-based acid system used had a
low viscosity while pumping. The viscosity of live acid at a
given temperature depends on acid concentration, additives
type and concentration.19,28 The viscosity of this system does
not develop until the acid reacts with carbonates and the pH
increases. During the stimulation operation it was evident that
the acid system decreased the circulating pressure compared
with regular acid (20 wt% HCl).

Figure 3 shows the circulation pressure as a function of

operational time. This plot shows one cycle where the coiled
tuning was full of acid, and then the surfactant-based acid was
pumped through the coiled tubing followed by regular acid.
Point A presents the time where the surfactant-based acid
enters the coiled tubing. Point B marks the point where the
coiled tubing was full of the surfactant-based acid. A
significant decrease in the circulating pressure was noted once
the surfactant-based acid enters the coiled tubing. The
circulation pressure remained at the same pressure until point
C. At point C, the regular acid enters the coiled tubing
and the circulating pressure started to increase to its previous
level at point A. The same sequence was noted each time
the surfactant-based acid and the regular acid were pumped
through the coiled tubing.
The treatment data shown in Fig. 3 indicate that the
surfactant-based acid reduced friction losses compared with
regular acid systems. The reduction in the friction pressures
due to surfactant-based acid for this case (where a 2-inch
coiled tubing was used) with 3 bbls/min pumping rate is in the
range of 35%.27
4. Stimulation of Extended Reach Wells
It is a common practice to drill horizontal and multilateral
wells in order to maximize oil recovery in carbonate and
sandstone reservoirs. However, when considering these wells
for intervention, a major technology gap still exists, especially
in extended reach (ER) wells.29 Extended reach wells are
defined as those with a measured depth to true vertical depth
ratio (MD/TVD) greater than 2.30
A horizontal well, which was drilled in an offshore field
in the eastern part of Saudi Arabia was stimulated using VESHCl system through a CT tractor.31 The bottom hole pressure
was 3,680 psi at 7,400 ft and the bottom hole static
temperature was 195F. There are high permeability streaks in
the target zone (milli-Darcies to Darcies). The mineralogy of
the target zone is mainly calcite, with zones of anhydrite and
dolomite. The well has an openhole completion with a total
depth (TD) of 13,543 ft and TVD of 6,501 ft.
To maximize diversion a surfactant-based acid was used
in the treatment. Simulation results indicated CT lockup would
occur at 10,300 ft when using a 1 -inch CT and in order to
extend the CT reach, it was decided to use a 3 1/8-inch CTtractor. The tractor should give additional pulling force of
5,000 lbf and, as a result, the CT would be able to reach the
total depth. In this well, because of the presence a washout,
CT-tractor could not be moved beyond 11,500 ft. Hence, the
acid was pumped from the lockup point.
To evaluate this treatment, a production logging test
(PLT) was run to determine PI before and after conducting
treatment on this well. Jetting acidic brine (pH 4-5) was also
used to remove residual mud filter cake. However, the well
did not produce after jetting and could not flow even after
lifting using nitrogen gas. The well was then acidized using
the VES-HCl using CT-tractor system. PI from PLT runs
before and after these treatments indicated that the surfactantbased acid is very effective in removing drilling mud filter
cake in ER wells (Fig. 4).
Another ER well, which was recently drilled in a

SPE 90383

carbonate reservoir in the eastern part of Saudi Arabia, had an

openhole completion with a total depth (TD) of 20,304 ft and
TVD of 9,077 ft. The bottom hole pressure was 3,780 psi at
8,700 ft and the bottom hole static temperature was 210F.
The average permeability was 17 mD, and porosity was 13
vol%. The reservoir fluids contained hydrogen sulfide at 6.9
mol%. Before completion, the well was treated with acidic
brine similar to that described earlier. The acidic brine was
jetted using the drill pipe to remove filter cake damage and
improve well productivity. However, the well did not flow
after 48 hours of lifting using nitrogen gas. As a result, it was
decided to stimulate the well using the same acid treatment
utilized in the earlier well.
A typical coiled tubing (1 - or 2-inch) cannot reach the
total depth in this well. This is because 2-inch CT will lock-up
at approximately 13,200 ft. This means that only 2,500 out of
9,014 ft would be covered by CT (less than 30% OH
coverage). This well was acidized utilizing a 3 1/8-inch CT
tractor and 22,150 ft of 2-inch CT string. A total of 100,000
gals of 20 wt% HCl-based fluids were used to stimulate this
well and gave excellent results.
Several lessons were learned from acid treatments of ER
wells using a tractor/coiled tubing combination. First,
compatibility of acid additives, especially corrosion inhibitor
and O-ring and rubber seals of the tractor was important.
Some types of the corrosion inhibitor examined severely
damaged the seals and O-ring of the tractor. Secondly, the
material of construction of the tractor should be considered
when selecting the corrosion inhibitor type and determining its
concentration. Thirdly, the combination of mechanical (CTtractor) and chemical (viscoelastic surfactant-based acid)
diversion is a very effective method for removing drilling mud
filter cake in ER wells.
5. Acid Fracturing of Water Injectors
Seawater injection has been used to maintain the reservoir
pressure in a carbonate reservoir in Saudi Arabia. However,
the injectivity of some vertical wells in this field is limited due
to low reservoir permeability (less than 20 mD). Conventional
matrix acid treatments did improve the injectivity to varying
degrees. However, to achieve the required injection rate,
some of water injectors need to be stimulated by acid
fracturing.
Various acid systems have been evaluated to acid fracture
injection wells. Previous experience and lab testing eliminated
systems that utilize acid-soluble polymers. This is mainly due
to the tight nature of the formation rock and the presence of
hydrogen sulfide and iron sulfide in the wellbore area.
To address these concerns and to simplify the chemistry
involved, a viscoelastic surfactant fluid was utilized in acid
fracturing treatments. The fluid system includes a viscous pad
and a leak-off controlled acid. Muhareb et al.28 reported that a
stabilized pumping pressure with this system was noted during
fracture treatments, which indicated effective leak-off control.
Fracture acidizing pumping rate requirements of the
viscoelastic surfactant systems were reduced compared to the
conventional systems. The spent acid was not lifted from the
well, which was put on injection following the acid fracturing
treatment. This first acid fracturing treatment resulted in an

SPE 90383

injectivity increase of nearly 13,000 bwpd. Post-treatment

testing estimated the skin to be - 4.8 with an injectivity index
of 12.3 b/d/psi.
Several important lessons were learned from this
treatment. First, the surfactant-based acid is simple to mix and
therefore, pump in the field. The same surfactant was used in
the various stages of the treatment (viscous pads and leak-off
control acid). This acid system used a minimum number of
chemicals. As a result, it simplifies chemical interactions,
which represent a major problem with polymer-based acids.
The surfactant-based acid system does not tolerate ferric iron;
therefore an effective pickling treatment for well tubulars is
required prior to the treatment. The system does not tolerate
hydrocarbons. Therefore, proper spacers should be used to
separate viscoelastic surfactantbased fluids from oil,
condensate, mutual solvent and other hydrocarbons.
6. Acid Fracturing Deep/Sour Gas Wells
A deep, carbonate gas reservoir is present in the eastern part of
Saudi Arabia. The gas is sour with hydrogen sulfide content
that varies across the field from a few ppm to 10 mol%. The
bottomhole temperature was 275F and initial reservoir
pressure was 7,500 psi. The permeability of reservoir rock
was less than 1 mD. Most of the wells in this reservoir are
completed with low-carbon steel tubing (L-80 and C-95),
which is suitable for sour environments.
Typically, 28 wt% HCl-based acids (emulsified, gelled
and in-situ gelled acids) are used to enhance the productivity
of these wells.32 These treatments were very successful and
significantly improved the productivity of these wells.
However, coreflood testing showed that residual polymers
remaining the rock, even in the wormhole. The impact of
these polymer-based acids on the performance of the treated
wells was not determined. It was thought to use surfactantbased acid to fracture gas wells in this dolomitic reservoir.
The surfactant-based acid at 28 wt% HCl was
successfully used as a leakoff control acid in fracturing more
than 10 vertical wells in deep, sour gas reservoirs.33 This
system provided fluid-loss control equal to polymer-based
acids. The wells stimulated using surfactant-based acid
exhibit equal or greater than expected gas production (Fig. 5)
after the fracturing treatment, and are comparable to any
previously conducted. All of the treatments showed significant
increases in the wellhead flowing pressure (Fig. 6) which is
another sign of a successful treatment. Cleanup time for wells
treated with surfactant-based acids was 6-8 hours, compared
with 12-18 hours needed for wells treated with polymer-based
acid, Fig. 7.
Several lessons were learned from acid fracturing deep,
sour gas wells. First, initial field results indicated that
productivity enhancement using surfactant-based acids is
similar to that noted with wells treated with polymer-based
fluids. The surfactant-based acid significantly reduced the
hydraulic horse power needed to perform the acid fracturing
treatments. This is mainly due to the ability of the surfactant to
reduce friction losses during pumping. Finally, the time
needed to lift spent acid from the formation is much shorter in
the case of surfactant-based acids. This is most likely due to
the ability of the surfactant to reduce surface tension which

enhances lifting the spent acid from tight formations.

Concluding Remarks
Surfactant-based acids have been used in various acid
treatments. The results of these treatments were positive and
produced significant improvement in oil and gas production.
Water injectors and water disposal wells also responded to
treatments where surfactant-based fluids were used.
Several lessons were learned during the use of surfactantbased acid in various applications. Some of the main lessons
are:
1. The surfactant-based acid is a simple system that
requires minimum number of additives.
2. This acid system can be placed by bull-heading, using
coiled tubing or a combination of coiled tubing and a tractor.
3. The surfactant-based acid system required less stages
compared with other acid systems.
4. The surfactant-based acid system reduced friction losses
in coiled tubing. As a result, higher pumping rates were
achieved.
5. Wells treated with surfactant-based acid systems saved
an average of nearly two days of rig time.
6. The volume of surfactant-based acid treatments was less
that that used with polymer-based acid.
7. Viscoelastic surfactant-based acids do not tolerate ferric
iron. Every effort should be made to minimize introduction of
ferric iron to the system.
8. These acid systems do not tolerate hydrocarbons.
Therefore, properly designed spacers should be used before
and after any treatment stage that includes viscoelastic
surfactants.
9. The apparent viscosity of viscoelastic surfactant-based
acids depends on additive type and concentration. Therefore,
all chemicals should be added to the acid before conducting
viscosity measurements.
10. The mechanism by which the surfactant-based acids
develop their viscosity, especially in the presence of various
additives, is complex, and still requires additional work.
Work is under way to better understand chemical
interactions related to viscoelastic surfactants and other acid
additives. Of special interest is the impact of these additives
on the elastic properties of these surfactants. Another point of
interest is the effect of short-chain alcohols on the rheological
properties of these systems.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Saudi Aramco and
Schlumberger for the permission to present and publish this
paper. The authors would like to thanks the following
engineers for many useful discussions; S.K. Mohammed, N.
Al-Habib, A.A. Al-Shurei, N.K. Merwat, A.A. Al-Mumen,
and M. Al-Muhareb. Members of the Stimulation Research
and Technology Team of the R&D Center of Saudi Aramco
are acknowledged for their help and support.
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SPE 90383

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Taylor, K.C. and Nasr-El-Din, H.A.: Laboratory
Evaluation of In-Situ Gelled Acids for Carbonate
Reservoirs, SPEJ (December 2003) 426-434.
Nasr-El-Din, H.A., S.H. Al-Mutairi, S.H., Al-Jari,
M., Metcalf, A.S., and Wallace, W.: Stimulation of
a Deep Sour Gas Reservoir Using Gelled Acid,
paper SPE 75501 presented at the SPE Gas
Technology Symposium held in Calgary, AB,
Canada, 30 April to 02 May, 2002.
Taylor, K.C. and Nasr-El-Din, H.A.: Coreflood
Evaluation of In-Situ Gelled Acids, paper SPE
73707 presented at the 2002 SPE Int. Symposium on
Formation Damage Control, Lafayette, LA, 20-21
February.
Lynn, J.D. and Nasr-El-Din, H.A.: A Core-Based
Comparison of the Reaction Characteristics of
Emulsified and In-Situ Gelled Acids in Low
Permeability, High Temperature, Gas Bearing
Carbonates, paper SPE 65386 presented at the 2001
SPE International Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry,
Houston, TX, 13-16 February.
Nasr-El-Din, H.A., Taylor, K.C. and Al-Hajji, H.H.:
Propagation of Cross-linkers Used in In-Situ Gelled
Acids in Carbonate Reservoirs, paper SPE 75257
presented at the 2002 SPE/DOE Symposium on
Improved Oil Recovery held in Tulsa, OK, 1317
April.
Nasr-El-Din, H.A., and Al-Humaidan, A.Y.: Iron
Sulfide Scale; Formation, Removal and Mitigation,
paper SPE 68315 presented at the 2001 SPE Oilfield
Scale, Aberdeen, UK, January 29-30.
Nasr-El-Din, H.A., Al-Humaidan, A.Y., Fadel, B.,
Frenier, W.W., Hill, D.: Investigation of Sulfide
Scavengers in Well Acidizing Fluids, SPEPF, 17
(2002) 229-35.
Vinod, P.S., Chang, F. and Samuel, M., US patent
US5,979,557 (1997).

15. Chang, F., Thomas, R.L., and Fu, D.K.: A New

Material and Novel Technique for Matrix Stimulation
in High-Water-Cut Oil Wells, paper SPE 39592
presented at the 1998 SPE Formation Damage
Symposium, Lafayette, LA, 18-19 February.
16. Chang, F.F., Acock, A.M., Geoghagan, A., Huckabee
T.: Experience in Acid Diversion in High
Permeability Deep Water Formations Using Viscoelastic Surfactant, paper SPE 68919 presented at the
2001 SPE European Formation Damage Conference,
The Hague, The Netherlands, 2122 May.
17. Chang, F.F., Love, T., Affeld, C. J., Blevins III, J. B.,
Thomas, R.L., Fu, D.K.: Case Study of a Novel
Acid-Diversion Technique in Carbonate Reservoirs,
paper SPE 56529 presented at the 1998 SPE
International Symposium on Formation Damage
Control, Lafayette, LA, 1819 February.
18. Chang, F.F., Qu, Q., Frenier, W.: A Novel SelfDiverting-Acid Developed for Matrix Stimulation of
Carbonate Reservoirs, paper SPE 65033 presented at
the 2001 SPE International Symposium on Oilfield
Chemistry held in Houston, TX, 13-16 February.
19. Al-Ghamdi, A.H., Nasr-El-Din, H.A., Al-Qahtani,
A.A. and Samuel, M.: Impact of Acid Additives on
the Rheological Properties of Viscoelastic Surfactants
and Their Influence on Field Application, paper SPE
89418 presented at the 2004 SPE/DOE Symposium
on Improved Oil Recovery held in Tulsa, OK, 17-21
April.
20. Al-Mutawa, M., Al-Anzi, E., Jemmali, M. and
Samuel, M.: Field Cases of a Zero Damaging
Stimulation and Diversion Fluid from the Carbonate
Formations in North Kuwait, paper SPE 80225
presented at the 2003 SPE International Symposium
on Oilfield Chemistry, Houston, TX, 5-8 February.
21. Samuel, M.: Cleaner Wells Produce Better Results,
Edited by Lyle D., Harts E&P (July 2003) 4043.
22. Samuel, M and Sandhu, W.: Non-Damaging Selfdiverting acid stimulations revive an Egyptian oil
field," World Oil, pp 88-91, February 2004.
23. Mohamed, S.K., Nasr-El-Din, H.A. and Al-Furaidan,
Y.A.: Acid Stimulation of Power Water Injectors
and Saltwater Disposal Wells in a Carbonate
Reservoir in Saudi Arabia: Laboratory Testing and
Field Results, paper SPE 56533 presented at the
1999 SPE Annual Technical Meeting, Houston, TX,
3-6 October.
24. Mohamed, S.K., Nasr-El-Din, H.A. Dossary, K.A.,
McClelland, K. and Samuel, M.: Enhancement of
Stimulation Treatment of Water Injection Wells
Using a New Polymer-Free Diversion System, paper
SPE 78588 presented at the 2002 SPE International
Symposium on Formation Damage Control, Abu
Dhabi, UAE, 13-16 October.
25. Nasr-El-Din H.A., Samuel, E. and Samuel, M.:
Application of a New Class of Surfactants in
Stimulation Treatments, paper SPE 84898 presented
at the 2003 SPE International Improved Oil Recovery

SPE 90383

Injection Volume, MM BBl

Fig. 2. A well stimulated using surfactant-based acid system.

The well was dead before the treatment that was performed on
June 2003.
80

12000

60

BOPD
WC%

8000

40

6000
4000

20
2000

Jan-04

Jun-03

Dec-02

May-02

0
Nov-01

Water Cut, vol%

10000

Apr-01

33.

Polymer 2

Oct-00

32.

Polymer 1
VES

Mar-00

31.

Feb-99

30.

Aug-99

29.

Jul-98

28.

Injectivity Index, -

27.

Fig. 1. Long-term injectivity index (injectivity post

stimulation divided by that before the treatment) of seawater
injectors stimulated with polymeric and surfactant-based
fluids.

Oil Production, BOPD

26.

Conference, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2021

October.
Nasr-El-Din, H.A., Al-Habib N.S., Al-Mumen, A.A.,
Jemmali, M. and Samuel, M.: "A New Effective
Stimulation Treatment Methodology for Long
Horizontal Wells using Viscoelastic Surfactant
Treatment Fluid," paper SPE 86516 presented at the
2004 SPE Formation Damage Control Symposium at
Lafayette, LA, 18-20 February.
Nasr-El-Din, H.A., Al-Mohammed, A.M., Al-Shurei,
A.A., Merwat, N.K., Erbil, M. and Samuel, M.:
Matrix Stimulation of Water Disposal Wells Using a
Viscoelastic Surfactant-Based Acid, paper SPE
88588, to be presented at the 2004 SPE Asia Pacific
Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition held in Perth,
Australia, 1820 October.
Al-Muhareb M.A., Nasr-El-Din H.A., Samuel, E.,
Marcinew, R. and Samuel, M.: Acid Fracturing of
Power Injectors: A New Field Application Using
Polymer-free Fluids, paper SPE 82210 presented at
the 2003 SPE European Formation Damage
Conference, The Hague, The Netherlands, May 13
14.
Haukvik, J.: Development of Down Hole Tractors
for Coiled Tubing and Wirelines, presented at the
1994 SPE European Coiled Tubing Roundtable held
in Aberdeen, Scotland, 18-19 October.
Bhalla, K.: Coiled Tubing Extended Reach
Technology, paper SPE 30404 presented at the 1995
SPE Offshore Conference held in Aberdeen,
Scotland, 5-8 September.
Nasr-El-Din, H.A., Al-Habib, N.S., Jemmali, M.,
Lahmadi, A., and Samuel, M.: A Novel Technique
to Acidize Horizontal Wells with Extended Reach,
paper SPE 90385 to be presented at the 2004 SPE
Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition,
Houston, Texas, 26-29 September.
Bartko, K., Nasr-El-Din, H.A., Rahim, Z., and AlMuntasheri, G.: Acid Fracturing of a Carbonate Gas
Reservoir: The Impact of Acid Type and Lithology
on Fracture Half Length and Width, paper SPE
84130 presented at the 2003 SPE Annual Conference
and Exhibition, Denver, CO, 5 - 8 October.
Nasr-El-Din H.A., Al-Driweesh, S., Al-Muntasheri,
G., Marcinew, R., Daniels, J. and Samuel, M.: Acid
Fracturing HT/HP Gas Wells Using a Novel
Surfactant-Based Fluid System, paper SPE 84516
presented at the 2003 SPE Annual Technical
Conference and Exhibition, Denver, CO, 58
October.

SPE 90383

Fig. 3. Circulating pressure during acid treatment using

surfactant-based acid. Note the drop in circulation pressure
each time the surfactant-based acid enters the coiled tubing.

Fig. 6: FWHP before and after acid fracturing of deep gas

wells using surfactantbased acid.
5000

Pre-frac
4000

FWHP, psig

Circulating Pressure, psi

10000

1000

Post-frac

3000

2000

1000

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1601
1600
1612
1611
1610
1609
1608
1607
1619
1618
1617
1616
1615
1614
1613
1625
1624
1623
1622
1621
1620
1632
1631
1630
1629
1628
1627
1626
1638
1637
1636
1635
1634
1633
1645
1644
1643
1642
1641
1640
1639
1651
1650
1649
1648
1647
1646
1658
1657
1656
1655
1654
1653
1652
1664
1663
1662
1661
1660
1659
1671
1670
1669
1668
1667
1666
1665
1677
1676
1675
1674
1673
1672
1684
1683
1682
1681
1680
1679
1678
1690
1689
1688
1687
1686
1685
1697
1696
1695
1694
1693
1692
1691
1703
1702
1701
1700
1699
1698
1710
1709
1708
1707
1706
1705
1704
1716
1715
1714
1713
1712
1711
1723
1722
1721
1720
1719
1718
1717
1729
1728
1727
1726
1725
1724
1736
1735
1734
1733
1732
1731
1730
1742
1741
1740
1739
1738
1737
1749
1748
1747
1746
1745
1744
1743
1755
1754
1753
1752
1751
1750
1762
1761
1760
1759
1758
1757
1756
1768
1767
1766
1765
1764
1763
1775
1774
1773
1772
1771
1770
1769
1781
1780
1779
1778
1777
1776
1788
1787
1786
1785
1784
1783
1782
1794
1793
1792
1791
1790
1789
1801
1800
1799
1798
1797
1796
1795
1807
1806
1805
1804
1803
1802
1813
1812
1811
1810
1809
1808
1820
1819
1818
1817
1816
1815
1814
1826
1825
1824
1823
1822
1821
1833
1832
1831
1830
1829
1828
1827
1839
1838
1837
1836
1835
1834
1846
1845
1844
1843
1842
1841
1840
1852
1851
1850
1849
1848
1847
1859
1858
1857
1856
1855
1854
1853
1865
1864
1863
1862
1861
1860
1872
1871
1870
1869
1868
1867
1866
1878
1877
1876
1875
1874
1873
1885
1884
1883
1882
1881
1880
1879
1891
1890
1889
1888
1887
1886
1898
1897
1896
1895
1894
1893
1892
1904
1903
1902
1901
1900
1899
1911
1910
1909
1908
1907
1906
1905
1917
1916
1915
1914
1913
1912
1924
1923
1922
1921
1920
1919
1918
1930
1929
1928
1927
1926
1925
1937
1936
1935
1934
1933
1932
1931
1943
1942
1941
1940
1939
1938
1950
1949
1948
1947
1946
1945
1944
1956
1955
1954
1953
1952
1951
1963
1962
1961
1960
1959
1958
1957
1969
1968
1967
1966
1965
1964
1976
1975
1974
1973
1972
1971
1970
1982
1981
1980
1979
1978
1977
1989
1988
1987
1986
1985
1984
1983
1995
1994
1993
1992
1991
1990
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2028
2027
2026
2025
2024
2023
2022
2034
2033
2032
2031
2030
2029
2041
2040
2039
2038
2037
2036
2035
2047
2046
2045
2044
2043
2042
2054
2053
2052
2051
2050
2049
2048
2060
2059
2058
2057
2056
2055
2067
2066
2065
2064
2063
2062
2061
2073
2072
2071
2070
2069
2068
2080
2079
2078
2077
2076
2075
2074
2086
2085
2084
2083
2082
2081
2092
2091
2090
2089
2088
2087
2099
2098
2097
2096
2095
2094
2093
2105
2104
2103
2102
2101
2100
2112
2111
2110
2109
2108
2107
2106
2118
2117
2116
2115
2114
2113
2125
2124
2123
2122
2121
2120
2119
2131
2130
2129
2128
2127
2126
2138
2137
2136
2135
2134
2133
2132
2144
2143
2142
2141
2140
2139
2151
2150
2149
2148
2147
2146
2145
2157
2156
2155
2154
2153
2152
2164
2163
2162
2161
2160
2159
2158
2170
2169
2168
2167
2166
2165
2177
2176
2175
2174
2173
2172
2171
2183
2182
2181
2180
2179
2178
2190
2189
2188
2187
2186
2185
2184
2196
2195
2194
2193
2192
2191
2203
2202
2201
2200
2199
2198
2197
2209
2208
2207
2206
2205
2204
2216
2215
2214
2213
2212
2211
2210
2222
2221
2220
2219
2218
2217
2229
2228
2227
2226
2225
2224
2223
2235
2234
2233
2232
2231
2230
2242
2241
2240
2239
2238
2237
2236
2248
2247
2246
2245
2244
2243
2255
2254
2253
2252
2251
2250
2249
2261
2260
2259
2258
2257
2256
2268
2267
2266
2265
2264
2263
2262
2274
2273
2272
2271
2270
2269
2281
2280
2279
2278
2277
2276
2275
2287
2286
2285
2284
2283
2282
2294
2293
2292
2291
2290
2289
2288
2300
2299
2298
2297
2296
2295
2307
2306
2305
2304
2303
2302
2301
2313
2312
2311
2310
2309
2308
2320
2319
2318
2317
2316
2315
2314
2326
2325
2324
2323
2322
2321
2333
2332
2331
2330
2329
2328
2327
2339
2338
2337
2336
2335
2334
2346
2345
2344
2343
2342
2341
2340
2352
2351
2350
2349
2348
2347
2359
2358
2357
2356
2355
2354
2353
2365
2364
2363
2362
2361
2360
2371
2370
2369
2368
2367
2366
2378
2377
2376
2375
2374
2373
2372
2384
2383
2382
2381
2380
2379
2391
2390
2389
2388
2387
2386
2385
2397
2396
2395
2394
2393
2392
2404
2403
2402
2401
2400
2399
2398
2410
2409
2408
2407
2406
2405
2417
2416
2415
2414
2413
2412
2411
2423
2422
2421
2420
2419
2418
2430
2429
2428
2427
2426
2425
2424
2436
2435
2434
2433
2432
2431
2443
2442
2441
2440
2439
2438
2437
2449
2448
2447
2446
2445
2444
2456
2455
2454
2453
2452
2451
2450
2462
2461
2460
2459
2458
2457
2469
2468
2467
2466
2465
2464
2463
2475
2474
2473
2472
2471
2470
2482
2481
2480
2479
2478
2477
2476
2483

Time

W-1

W-2

W-3

W-4

W-5

Wells

Fig. 4: PLT results for three runs done on a well: before

acidic brine, after acidic brine and after surfactantbased acid.

80

Fig. 7: A comparison of cleanup time for wells fractured with

polymerbased and surfactantbased acid systems.
100

69

Polymer-based Acid
80

46

Water Cut, vol%

PI, Std/d/psi

60
40
18

20
0
1st Run

2nd Run

3rd Run

PLT Runs

Gas Rate (MMSCFD)

80

Pre-frac
Post-frac

60
40
20
0
W-2

W-3
Wells

60
40
20
0

Fig. 5: Gas production before and after acid fracturing deep

gas wells using surfactantbased acid.

W-1

Surfactant-based Acid

W-4

W-5

500

1000

Time, Min

1500

2000