Highlights
Benefits
- Simplifies acid handling and transportation logistics
- Eliminates HSE concerns with conventional hydrochloric acid treatments
- Provides similar dissolving power as hydrochloric acid, boosting simulation efficiency at lower treatment volumes
- Safely dissolves downhole scale without corroding equipment and tubulars
- Deploys safely during wireline runs, reducing time and costs of hydraulic fracturing operations
Applications
- Scale and mineral deposit removal in oil and gas, geothermal, SAGD, and CCUS wells
- Matrix acid stimulation and acid fracturing in carbonate formations
- Spearhead acid treatments for unconventional fracturing applications
Overview
In well stimulation and remediation, conventional hydrochloric acid (HCl) treatments bring significant health, safety, and environmental (HSE) risks. Strict handling and transportation rules further complicate these jobs.
The Baker Hughes Advanced Low-Aggressive Reservoir Acid (ALARA™) fluid technology offers a safer acidizing alternative for well stimulation and remediation in oil and gas and energy transition applications alike. ALARA’s patent-pending chemistry retains the high dissolving power of HCl while eliminating corrosivity concerns, making it safer for your personnel, equipment, and the environment.
Eliminate HSE concerns
Unlike conventional HCl, ALARA fluid technology is non-corrosive to the skin and eyes, releases low levels of non-toxic fumes, and biodegrades readily.
Simplify your field operations
ALARA fluid technology is not regulated for ground transportation, simplifying logistics while eliminating the strict permits and handling requirements associated with HCl. Delivered in a ready-to-pump blend, ALARA avoids on-site mixing, reduces transport volumes, and lowers the carbon footprint. ALARA is also compatible with standard oilfield tanks, removing the need for specialized acid tanks or trucks.
Enhance production while protecting equipment
ALARA’s proprietary, non-corrosive formulation safeguards wellbore tubulars, pumps, and other downhole equipment—eliminating the need for corrosion inhibitor treatments. The fluid technology is also compatible with the elastomers and other components in most electrical submersible pumping (ESP) systems, effectively dissolving scale without damaging pumps. This extends ESP run life, reduces workover costs, and restores production quickly.
Boost fracturing efficiency
ALARA’s dissolving power ensures an optimal reaction rate for spearhead acid treatments, maximizing the reduction in breakdown pressure while reducing pump horsepower, water volume requirements, and operating costs. The fluid technology’s compatibility with wireline and bottomhole assemblies allows for acid spotting with wireline-deployed perforating guns, reducing pumping time per stage by up to 20 minutes. As a result, you can deliver more frac stages per day at lower cost, bringing your well back into production sooner.
Contact Baker Hughes to learn how ALARA fluid technology can help you optimize your acidizing jobs for enhanced production at lower risks and costs.