Thermally activated strong acids
An acid-generating fluid includes a thermally activated strong acid precursor. The thermally activated strong acid precursor can include a component selected from aldehydes, ketones, and combinations thereof, in combination with a precursor of a compound adapted to react to liberate sulfur dioxide; or it can include sulfur dioxide in combination with a precursor of a compound adapted to react to liberate a component selected from aldehydes, ketones, and combinations thereof.
1. A method comprising:
providing an acid-generating fluid that comprises water and a thermally activated strong acid precursor, the thermally activated strong acid precursor comprising:
a precursor of a compound adapted to react to liberate sulfur dioxide, wherein said precursor is a sulfone; and
a component selected from aldehydes, ketones, and combinations thereof;
placing the acid-generating fluid into a subterranean formation;
thermally activating the precursor, thereby liberating sulfur dioxide; and
reacting the sulfur dioxide and the component selected from aldehydes, ketones, and combinations thereof to form a thermally activated strong acid.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the precursor is selected from the group consisting of a sulfone adduct of butadiene, a sulfone adduct of piperylene, a sulfone adduct of isoprene, and combinations thereof.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the acid-generating fluid further comprises a dienophile.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the dienophile and the thermally activated strong acid precursor are provided in a 1:1 molar ratio.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the acid-generating fluid further comprises a base.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the base is CaCO 3 .
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the acid-generating fluid has a pH of greater than 4.
8. A method comprising:
providing an acid-generating fluid that comprises water and a thermally activated strong acid precursor, the thermally activated strong acid precursor comprising:
a precursor of a compound adapted to react to liberate sulfur dioxide, and
a component selected from aldehydes, ketones, and combinations thereof;
placing the acid-generating fluid into a subterranean formation;
thermally activating the precursor, thereby liberating sulfur dioxide; and
reacting the sulfur dioxide and the component selected from aldehydes, ketones, and combinations thereof to form a thermally activated strong acid;
wherein the acid-generating fluid is an emulsion.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein said precursor is a sulfone.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the precursor is selected from the group consisting of a sulfone adduct of butadiene, a sulfone adduct of piperylene, a sulfone adduct of isoprene, and combinations thereof.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein said precursor is a sulfite.
12. The method of claim 8 , wherein said precursor is a sulfite ester.
13. The method of claim 8 , wherein said precursor is selected from the group consisting of: ethylene sulfite and dimethyl sulfite, diethyl sulfite, 1,2-propylene sulfite, and 1,3-propylene sulfite, and combinations thereof.
14. The method of claim 8 , wherein the acid-generating fluid further comprises a dienophile.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the dienophile and the thermally activated strong acid precursor are provided in a 1:1 molar ratio.
16. The method of claim 8 , wherein the acid-generating fluid further comprises a base.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the base is CaCO 3 .
18. The method of claim 8 , wherein the acid-generating fluid has a pH of greater than 4.
19. A method comprising:
providing an acid-generating fluid that comprises water and a thermally activated strong acid precursor, the thermally activated strong acid precursor comprising:
a precursor of a compound adapted to react to liberate sulfur dioxide, and
a component selected from aldehydes, ketones, and combinations thereof;
placing the acid-generating fluid into a subterranean formation;
thermally activating the precursor, thereby liberating sulfur dioxide; and
reacting the sulfur dioxide and the component selected from aldehydes, ketones, and combinations thereof to form a thermally activated strong acid;
wherein the acid generating fluid is a component of a fluid loss control pill.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein said precursor is a sulfone.
21. The method of claim 19 , wherein the precursor is selected from the group consisting of a sulfone adduct of butadiene, a sulfone adduct of piperylene, a sulfone adduct of isoprene, and combinations thereof.
22. The method of claim 19 , wherein said precursor is a sulfite.
23. The method of claim 19 , wherein said precursor is a sulfite ester.
24. The method of claim 19 , wherein said precursor is selected from the group consisting of: ethylene sulfite and dimethyl sulfite, diethyl sulfite, 1,2-propylene sulfite, and 1,3-propylene sulfite, and combinations thereof.
25. The method of claim 19 , wherein the acid-generating fluid further comprises a dienophile.
26. The method of claim 25 , wherein the dienophile and the thermally activated strong acid precursor are provided in a 1:1 molar ratio.
27. The method of claim 19 , wherein the acid-generating fluid further comprises a base.
28. The method of claim 27 , wherein the base is CaCO 3 .
29. The method of claim 19 , wherein the acid-generating fluid has a pH of greater than 4.