Treatment fluids comprising weakly emulsifying surfactants and associated methods
Provided are acidic treatment fluids comprising a weakly emulsifying surfactant, an aqueous base fluid, and an acid. In some embodiments, the treatment fluids are capable of forming short-lived oil-in-acid emulsions due, at least in part, to the interaction of at least a portion of the weakly emulsifying surfactant with one or more oil or gas molecules within a subterranean formation.
1. A method comprising:
providing a treatment fluid that comprises a weakly emulsifying surfactant and an aqueous base fluid; wherein the weakly-emulsifying surfactant comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of: an ethoxylated long-chain alcohols, a polyglucoside, an alkyl ammonium bromide; an alkoxylated sulfate; a hydroxysultaine; and any combination thereof;
introducing the treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation at or above a pressure sufficient to create or enhance one or more fractures in the subterranean formation; and
forming one or more short-lived oil-in-water emulsions within the subterranean formation.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the weakly-emulsifying surfactant comprises the alkyl ammonium bromide; wherein the alkyl ammonium bromide comprises an alkyl chain having between 1 and 50 carbon atoms.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the weakly-emulsifying surfactant comprises the hydroxysultaine; wherein the hydroxysultaine is selected from the group consisting of: cocoamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, lauramidopropyl hydroxysultaine, lauryl hydroxysultaine, and any combination thereof.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
allowing at least a portion of the weakly emulsifying surfactant to interact with at least a portion of the oil, gas, or both of the subterranean formation so as to prevent the formation of acid-induced sludge;
wherein the treatment fluid contains substantially no anti-sludge agent in addition to the weakly emulsifying surfactant.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
wherein the treatment fluid contains substantially no penetrating surfactant in addition to the weakly emulsifying surfactant.