Decreases in hydrocarbon production can be attributed to depletion in formation pressures or flow restrictions caused by formation damage. Some of the most common causes of formation damage affecting permeability include the buildup of in-situ emulsions due to crude oil interaction with drilling and completion fluids, water blockage, asphaltene and paraffin deposition and alteration of near-wellbore wettability. In new wells, near-wellbore formation damage may be caused by emulsion blockages when the whole mud, mud filtrate or completion fluids interact with the formation fluids.

Chemical treatments have been widely used to remediate damaged formations, with varying degrees of effectiveness. Single-phase microemulsion fluids provide unique properties that can effectively remove emulsion blockages, remove precipitated crude oil macromolecules, and reverse wettability to enhance hydrocarbon production. Carefully designed microemulsion systems having an ultra-low interfacial tension, high solvency and compatibility with formation fluids can be used to mobilize fluids and solids in wells.

This paper discusses the process of developing and qualifying a single-phase, temperature stable microemulsion system for field applications. Case history results are presented that demonstrate how this technology, if applied properly, can significantly enhance hydrocarbon production in poorly producing wells.

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