Sandstone formations are exposed to a variety of high pH fluids, including: hydraulic fracturing using high pH borate gels,alkaline-based chemical EOR methods, water-based drilling fluids and cementing filtrate. High pH values can trigger finesmigration, and subsequent loss of permeability and well productivity. An Al/Zr-based clay stabilizer was developed to controlfines migration at high pH applications. The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of this new stabilizer and compareits performance with commercially available stabilizers. Laboratory studies were performed using Berea sandstone (8 wt% clays; mainly kaolinite) cores (6 in. length and 1.5 in.diameter). Tetramethyl ammonium chloride (TMAC) and choline chloride were used for comparison as two commercial claystabilizers. Various coreflood experiments were conducted to determine the effect of the three stabilizers on core permeability(from 64 - 100 md) at various temperatures up to 300oF. In these experiments, a preflush that included 2 wt% stabilizer wasinjected and was followed by injection of 2 wt% NaOH solution. The later represented high pH filtrate that can invade theformation during any treatment that includes alkaline fluids. The pressure drop across the core was measured and samples of thecore effluent were collected. Inductive Coupled plasma was used to measure the concentrations of Al, Zr, Fe, Ca, and Mg. Lab results indicated that the new clay stabilizer worked effectively up to 300oF. No reduction in permeability was noted in anyof coreflood tests using sandstone cores of various mineralogies and initial permeabilities. The concentrations of various cationswere found to be a function of core mineralogy. TMAC and choline chloride was not effective when followed by fresh water andincompatible with the high pH fluids. The new stabilizer is environmentally friendly, and can be used in hydraulic fracturing, andalkaline-based chemical EOR methods to mitigate clay related problems.
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