Stimulate the Flow

Abstract

Well productivity can be adversely affected by formation damage in the near wellbore or by low natural permeability of the reservoir rock. Damage may be caused by drilling operations or the effects of long-term production. Carbonate minerals dissolve readily in acids, and acidizing has for years been a method of stimulating production in carbonate reservoirs. Mathew Samuel and Mahmut Sengul explain some of the situations that benefit from carbonate well stimulation, and how techniques such as matrix acidizing and acid fracturing are evolving to ensure optimum production and injection.