EFFECTS OF ACID SOLUTIONS ON THE ARBUCKLE FORMATION OF NORTHERN OKLAHOMA

The Arbuckle Formation produces oil in Kansas and Oklahoma; the area of this study is Craig County in Northeastern Oklahoma. The scope of this study is determine an optimal acid solution to dissolve oil bearing dolomite while creating a thermal reaction to melt paraffin build up in the producing wells.

The samples used in this research were acquired from the drilling of the Maslen No. 6 well in the Vinita Oil Field in Craig County, OK. The cuttings are from a depth interval of 590 to 665 feet. Preliminary tests run include specific gravity, bicarbonate total concentration, total dissolved solids, conductivity, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP).

The cuttings were submerged in various acid solutions including HCl, HNO₃, H₂SO₄ and aqua regia at various concentrations. The samples were observed after the first hour in solution. After twenty four hours, any remaining samples were filtered, dried, and weighed.

HNO₃ at a 50% concentration dissolved the most over the samples but a high amount of sludge remained. The 50% concentration of HCl left a greater volume of solid samples but left very little sludge. The H₂SO₄ did not dissolve much of the samples at any depth with a 50% concentration so no further tests were run with this acid.

The purpose of this research was to find an effective and reasonably priced acid solution to treat already existing and producing wells in the Arbuckle Formation. This treatment process could not only be effective for the Arbuckle Formation but for other carbonate formations in the drilling industry. The amounts of acid could potentially be adjusted to fit the specific needs of a well site depending on composition.