Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Factors causing emulsion upsets in surface facilities following acid stimulation

Conference · · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6918435

Frequently, severe emulsion upsets occur in surface-treating facilities following acid stimulation. Such upsets usually occur after production from the stimulated well is commingled with other production from nonstimulated wells. These emulsions have been extremely difficult to treat. Results presented show that acids partially spent on formation solids contain in solution potentially precipitable materials. As the pH of the produced acid increases on commingling with other production, fine solids are precipitated, these solids are capable of stabilizing extremely tight emulsions. The stability of such emulsions is far greater than those stabilized by fine particles loosened from the formation, or by oil wet formation particles. A technique for the reproducible formation and study of emulsions in the laboratory is presented. The use of the technique in selecting optimum demulsifiers for the field is described.

Research Organization:
Chevron Research Co
OSTI ID:
6918435
Report Number(s):
CONF-7410175-
Journal Information:
Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States), Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Vol. SPE-5154; ISSN SEAPA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English