Treatment fluids containing biodegradable chelating agents and methods for use thereof

The present invention generally relates to treatment fluids containing chelating agents, and, more particularly, to treatment methods using treatment fluids that contain biodegradable chelating agents.

Treatment fluids can be used in a variety of subterranean treatment operations. Such treatment operations can include, without limitation, drilling operations, stimulation operations, production operations, and sand control treatments. As used herein, the terms “treat,” “treatment” and “treating” refer to any subterranean operation that uses a fluid in conjunction with achieving a desired function and/or for a desired purpose. Use of these terms does not imply any particular action by the treatment fluid. Illustrative treatment operations can include, for example, fracturing operations, gravel packing operations, acidizing treatments, scale dissolution and removal, consolidation treatments, and the like. In alternative embodiments, treatment operations can refer to an operation conducted in a pipe, tubing, or like vessel in conjunction with achieving a desired function and/or for a desired purpose (e.g, scale removal).

In acidizing treatments, for example, subterranean formations comprising acid-soluble components, such as those present in carbonate and sandstone formations, are contacted with a treatment fluid comprising an acid to dissolve the formation matrix. After acidization is completed, the treatment fluid and salts dissolved therein may be recovered by producing them to the surface (e.g, “flowing back” the well), leaving a desirable amount of voids or conductive pathways (e.g, wormholes in carbonates) within the formation. Acidization can enhance the formation's permeability and may increase the rate at which hydrocarbons are subsequently produced from the formation.

201 30035 8 6

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Acidizing a siliceous formation (e.g., a sandstone formation or a claycontaining formation) should be distinguished from acidizing a carbonate formation. Carbonate formations can be treated with a variety of acid systems, including mineral acids (e.g., hydrochloric acid), and organic acids (e.g., acetic and formic acids), often with similar success, where the acidity of the treatment fluid alone can be sufficient to solubilize formation cations. The treatment of siliceous formations with these acids, however, may have little or no effect because they do not react appreciably with the silica and silicates that characterize siliceous formations. As used herein, the term, “siliceous” refers to the characteristic of having silica and/or silicate, including aluminosilicates. Most sandstone formations are composed of about 40% to about 98% sand quartz particles, i.e., silica (S1O2), bonded together by various amounts of cementing material including carbonate (calcite or CaCCh), aluminosilicates, and silicates.

By far the most common method of treating sandstone and other siliceous formations involves introducing corrosive, very low pH acids comprising hydrofluoric acid into the well bore and allowing the acid to react with the formation matrix. In contrast to other mineral acids, hydrofluoric acid is very reactive with aluminosilicates and silicates (e.g., sandstone, clays and feldspars). Hydrochloric acid may be used in addition to hydrofluoric acid in the treatment fluid to maintain a low pH as hydrofluoric acid is spent during a treatment operation, thereby retaining certain dissolved species in a highly acidic solution.

Hydrofluoric acid acidizing is often used to remove damage within the formation. Such treatments are generally not considered “stimulating” in the sense of creating or extending fractures in the formation as in a typical fracturing operation. As a result of a hydrofluoric acid treatment, it is desirable that the skin value in the formation be zero. It is not anticipated that it will be less than zero. Any damage left behind gives a positive skin value, which is not desirable.

Hydrofluoric acid can interact with the formation matrix, base fluids, or formation fluids to create precipitates, particularly in the presence of metal ions such as Al³*, Fe²*, Group 1 metal ions (e.g., Na* and K*) and/or Group 2 metal ions (e.g., Mg²*, Ca²⁺, and Ba²*), thereby leading to further damage and a positive skin value. For instance, hydrofluoric acid tends to react very quickly with authigenic clays (e.g., smectite, kaolinite, illite and chlorite), especially at temperatures above 200°F (93°F] and below pH 1, as a function of mineral surface area. Because of this quick reaction, the hydrofluoric acid may penetrate only

201 3 0 0 3 5 8 6 r

a short distance into the formation before becoming spent. Simultaneously, precipitation of various aluminum and silicon complexes can occur as a result of the reaction of the acid with the siliceous minerals. Damage to the formation can result from this precipitation. At certain temperatures and subterranean conditions, dissolution of a sandstone matrix or tike siliceous material may occur so rapidly that uncontrolled precipitation can become an inevitable problem. The precipitation products can plug pore spaces and reduce the porosity and permeability of the formation, thus impairing flow potential.

Because clays are normally a part of the cementitious material that holds the sand grains of siliceous formations together, the dissolution of clay also weakens and de10 consolidates the formation matrix in the vicinity of the well bore, thus causing damage to the formation. The damaging effects due to both the de-consolidation of the matrix and the precipitation of complexes can clog the pore spaces of the formation and eliminate or even revert the stimulation effect of an acidizing treatment.

Of particular concern is the formation of calcium fluoride, fluorosilicates, or other insoluble fluoro compounds during hydrofluoric acid acidizing treatments, which can negate the effectiveness of (be treatment and cause damage to the formation. This can lead to production delays while damage control operations are conducted. The fluorosilicates can be of particular concern because they are the primary product of the dissolution of a clay and hydrofluoric acid. In addition, fluorosilicates are difficult to remediate. Calcium fluoride can be a later concern in the process, because the fluoride anion needs to be present in its free ion form, and that does not happen until a higher pH is reached. Calcium fluoride can be remediated, in some instances. Remediation techniques include a commercially available treatment system from Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. known as “F-SOL” acid system, which can be used to dissolve calcium fluoride. Another source of concern is the production of fluoroaluminates as a consequence of the reaction of fluorosilicates with clay minerals. Fluoroaluminates are thought to be soluble as long as the pH is below about 2 and the ratio of F/Al is maintained below about 2.5. If precipitated, their dissolution requires strong HCl (&gt;5%).

Avoiding the formation of calcium fluoride, fluorosilicates, or other insoluble fluoro compounds can be a primary design objective in a treatment operation conducted in a subterranean formation or elsewhere. Various means have been used with mixed success. Blends of organic acids and hydrofluoric acid have been used to slow the

201 3 0 0 3 5 8 6 dissolution kinetics of sandstone formation solids. However, as organic acids have higher pKa values than do mineral acids, precipitation can become problematic as the treatment fluid’s pH rises. Pre-flush sequences with acids have been used to remove calcium salts from sandstone formations, before the main acidizing sequence is conducted to remove formation aluminosilicates. Generally, these flushes do not spend completely and typically return, upon flowback, with a persisting low pH. This can result in corrosion of downhole tubular goods (including coiled tubing) and surface equipment. Other multi-stage sandstone acidizing treatment operations have also been developed, particularly to remove calcium ions.

Chelating agents can also be included in treatment fluids to sequester at least a portion of the formation cations that cause unwanted precipitation. However, there are certain operational problems that are encountered with use of many common chelating agents. First, many common chelating agents are not biodegradable or present other toxicity concerns that make their use in a subterranean formation problematic. Further, the salt form of some chelating agents can actually exacerbate precipitation problems in a hydrofluoric acid acidizing treatment rather than lessening the amount of precipitated solid.

Likewise, chelating agents can be used in treating pipelines, tubing, and like vessels by removing metal ion scale from the pipeline or tubing surface. In such treatment operations, significant waste disposal issues can be encountered, since chelating agents that have commonly been used for such purposes are not biodegradable.

In addition to the foregoing, precipitation of formation cations in matrix acidizing operations can also be problematic, even when non-siliceous portions of a subterranean formation are being treated. Although most formation cations can be dissolved with strong acid treatment fluids, dissolution of the formation matrix spends the acid. As the pH of the treatment fluid rises, certain cations can precipitate and damage the formation. In addition, the use of very strong acids in a subterranean formation can lead to downhole corrosion issues, as previously mentioned. These issues can also be encountered when treating pipelines, tubing, and like vessels with an acidic fluid. Sequestration of precipitatable cations in non-siliceous formations or in pipelines, tubing, or like vessels can likewise benefit from a chelating agent in much the same manner as that described above for siliceous formations by keeping the cation in a soluble state over a broad pH range.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to treatment fluids containing chelating agents, and, more particularly, to treatment methods using treatment fluids that contain biodegradable chelating agents.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method comprising: providing a treatment fluid that comprises: an aqueous base fluid; and a chelating agent composition comprising at least one chelating agent selected from the group consisting of methylglycine diacetic acid, β-alanine diacetic acid, ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid, S,S-ethylenediaminedisuocinic acid, iminodisuccinic acid, hydroxyiminodisuccinic acid, polyamino disuccinic acids, N-bis[2-(l^-dicarboxyethaxy)ethyl]glycine, N-bis(2-&lt;l,2dicarboxyethoxy)ethyl]aspartic acid, N-bis[2-{l,2-dicari)oxyethoxy)ethyl]methylglycine, NtrisJ(l,2-dicaiboxyethoxy)ethyl]amine,N-methyliminodiacetic acid, iminodiacetic acid, N-{2acetamido)iminodiacetic acid, hydroxymethyl-iminodiacetic acid, 2-(2-caiboxyethylamino) succinic acid, 2-(2~carboxymethylamino) succinic acid, diethylenetriamine-N,N”-disuccinic acid, triethylenetetramine-N,N’^w-disuccinic acid, l,6-bexametbylenediamine-Nj4*-disucdnic acid, tetraethylenepentamine-NX^’-disuccinic acid, 2-hydroxypropylenc'l,3-diamine-N,N’disuccinic acid, l,2-propylenediamine-N,N*-disucciriie acid, l,3-propylenediamine-N,N'disuccinic acid, cb-cyclohexanediamine-N,N*-disuccinic acid, trans-cyclohcxanediamineN,Ν’-disuccinic acid, ethylenebis(oxyefliylenenitri)o)'N_rN’-disuccinic acid, glucoheptanoic acid» cysteic acid-N,N-diacetic acid, cysteic acid-N-monoacetic acid, alanine-N-monoacetic acid, N*&lt;3-hydroxysuccinyl) aspartic acid, Ν-[243-ΗγόΓ0Χγ5ύ&lt;χιηγΙ)]-·Ε·50Γίη6_&gt; aspartic acidΝ,Ν-diacetic acid, aspartic acid-N-monoacetic acid, any salt thereof, any derivative thereof, and any combination thereof; and introducing the treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method comprising: providing a treatment fluid that comprises: an aqueous base fluid; and a chelating agent composition comprising at least one chelating agent selected from the group consisting of methylglycine diacetic acid, any salt thereof, any derivative thereof, and any combination thereof; and introducing the treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method comprising: providing a treatment fluid that comprises: an aqueous base fluid; and a

201 300358 6 chelating agent composition comprising at least one chelating agent selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid diacetic acid, methylglycine diacetic acid, β-alanine diacetic acid, cthylenediamincdisuccinic acid, S,S-ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid, iminodisuccinic acid, hydroxyiminodisuccinic acid, polyamino disuccinic acids, N-bis[2-(l,25 dicarboxyethoxy)ethyl]glycine, N-bis[2-(l^-dicarboxyethoxy)ethyl]aspartic acid, N-bis[2(l,2-dicarboxyethoxy)ethy!]rocthylglycine, N-tris[(l,2-dicarboxyethoxy)ethy famine, Nmethyliminodiacetic acid, iminodiacetic acid, N-(2-acetanudo)iminodiacetic acid, hydroxymethyl-iminodiacetic acid, 2-(2-carboxyethyIamino) succinic acid, 2-(2caiboxymethylamino) succinic acid, diethylenetriamine-N^C-disuccinic acid, triethylenetetramine-N,N”*-disuccinic acid, l,6-hexamethylenediamine-N,N’-disuccinic acid, tctraethylenepentamine-NJT^-disuccimc acid, 2-hydroxypropylene-l,3-dianime-N,N’disuccinic acid, l^-propylenediamine-N,N’-disucxinic acid, l,3-propylenediamine-N,N’disuccinic acid, ci5-cyclohexanediamioe-N,N’-disuccinic acid, trans-cyclohexancdiamineΝ,Ν*-disuccinic acid, ethy!enebis(oxyethylenenitrilo)-N^i*-disuccinic acid, glucoheptanoic acid, cysteic acid-N,N-diacetic acid, cysteic acid-N-monoacetic acid, alanine-N-monoacetic acid, N-(3-hydroxysuccinyl) aspartic acid, N-[2-(3-hydroxysuccmyl)J-L-serine, aspartic acidΝ,Ν-diacetic acid, aspartic acid-N-monoacetic acid, any salt thereof, any derivative thereof, and any combination thereof; and treating a pipe or tubing with the treatment fluid.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method comprising: providing a treatment fluid that comprises: an aqueous base fluid; and a chelating agent composition comprising at least one chelating agent selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid diacetic acid, any salt thereof any derivative thereof, and any combination thereof; and introducing the treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation.

The features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the description of the preferred embodiments that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The following figure is included to illustrate certain aspects of the present invention, and should not be viewed as an exclusive embodiment. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those skilled in the art and having the benefit of this disclosure.

FIGURE 1 shows a fractional pore volume effluent analysis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention generally relates to treatment fluids containing chelating agents, and, more particularly, to treatment methods using treatment fluids that contain biodegradable chelating agents.

There are many advantages of the present invention, only a few of which are discussed or alluded to herein. The compositions and methods of the present invention utilize biodegradable chelating agents that can be used in conjunction with hydrofluoric acid or other matrix acidizing treatments in subterranean formations that avoid many of the disadvantages associated with other chelating agents, including those discussed above. As used herein, the term “biodegradable” refers to a substance that can be broken down by exposure to environmental conditions including native or non-native microbes, sunlight, air, heat, and the like. Use of the term “biodegradable” does not imply a particular degree of biodegradability, mechanism or biodegradability, or a specified biodegradation half-life.

Because of the chelation effect, the biodegradable chelating agents are able to aid in the dissolution of metal cations, thereby assisting in the prevention or remediation of precipitates that can damage a formation or other surface. Additionally, the biodegradable chelating agents of the present invention can be used in an ammonium or tetraalkylammonium salt form, which has been surprisingly discovered to be particularly advantageous for hydrofluoric acid acidizing operations. Use of the ammonium or tetralkylammonium salt form can avoid the additional precipitation problems that can sometimes occur when other salt forms (e.g., alkali metal salts) are used in the context of this invention. Furthermore, the biodegradable chelating agents and methods of the present invention may be used in prevention embodiments to prevent the formation of precipitates in the presence of hydrofluoric acid, as discussed above, as well as remediation embodiments to remove damage in a well bore or subterranean formation. These features beneficially allow treatment fluids containing glutamic acid diacetic acid (“GLDA”) or other biodegradable chelating agents such as, for example, methylglycine diacetic acid (“MGDA”), β-alanine diacetic acid (“β-ADA”), ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid, S,S-ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (“EDDS”), imi nodi succinic acid (“IDS’*), hydroxyiminodisuccinic acid (“HIDS”), polyamino disuccinic acids, N-bis[2-(l,2-dicarboxyethoxy)ethyl]glycine (“BCA6”), N-bis[2-(I,25 dicarboxyethoxy)ethyl]aspartic acid (“BCA5”), N-bis[2-(1,2dicarboxyethoxy)ethyl]methylglycine (“MCBA5”), N-tris((l,2-dicarboxyethoxy)ethyl]ainine (“TCA6”), N-methyliminodiacetic acid (“MIDA”), iminodiacetic acid (“IDA”), N-(2acetamido)iminodiacetic acid (“ADA”), hydroxymethyl-iminodiacetic acid, 2-(2carboxyethylamino) succinic acid (“CEAA”), 2-(2-carboxymethylamino) succinic acid (“CMAA), diethylenetriamine-N,N”-disuccinic acid, triethylenetetrajnme-N,N’”-disuccinic acid, l,6-hexamethylenediamine-N,N’-disuccinic acid, tetraethylenepentatnine-N.br”’disuccinic acid, 2-hydroxypropylene-l, 3-diamine-N,N ’-disuccinic acid, 1,2propylenediamine-NJT-disuccinic acid, I,3-propylencdianiine-N,N*-disuccinic acid, ciscyclohexanedjamine-NJ4’-disuccinic acid, trans-cyclohexanediamine-N,N’-disuccinic acid, ethylenebis(oxyethylenenitrilo)-N,N’-disuccmic acid, glucoheptanoic acid, cysteic acid-Ν,Νdtacetic acid, cysteic acid-N-monoacetic acid, elanine-N-monoacetic acid, N-(3hydroxysuccinyl) aspartic acid, N-[2-(3-hydroxysuccinyl)]-L-serine, aspartic acid-NJJdiacetic acid, aspartic acid-N-monoacetic acid, including any salt, derivative, or combination of these chelating agents, to perform single stage treatment operations including, for example, acidizing treatments (eg., matrix acidizing) and proppant pack treatments, particularly in subterranean formations that have carbonates present, especially those with &gt;10% carbonates. The beneficial effects can be particularly pronounced in treatment operations conducted using hydrofluoric acid or a hydrofluoric acid generating compound. Likewise, beneficial effects can be observed when treating a pipe, tubing, or like vessel, even when the pH is not particularly low.

The treatment fluids of the present invention generally comprise an aqueous base fluid and at least one biodegradable chelating agent. Suitable biodegradable chelating agents may comprise GLDA, any GLDA salq or any GLDA derivative. Suitable biodegradable chelating agents may also comprise MGDA, EDDS, IDS, H1DS, any salt thereof, any derivative thereof, or any combination thereof, including combinations with

GLDA, can be used in the treatment fluids. Likewise, any of the previously listed biodegradable chelating agents can also be used in conjunction with the present invention.

Particular advantages of some of these chelating agents are considered in more detail hereinafter. Optionally, salts, other pH additives, corrosion inhibitors, surface active agents, anti-sludging agents, mutual solvents, scale inhibitors, viscosifiers, gases, diverting/fluid loss agents, and the like may be included in the treatment fluids of the present invention. The present treatment fluids can be used in subterranean formations to prevent or remediate precipitation damage in the formation caused by the dissolution of formation cations, particularly in the presence of hydrofluoric acid. Likewise, the present treatment fluids can be used in treating pipes, tubing, and like vessels.

Generally, the base fluid of the present invention may comprise any aqueous or non-aqueous fluid. Preferably, the base fluid may comprise fresh water, salt water (e.g., water containing one or more salts dissolved therein), brine (eg, saturated sail water), sea water, glycol, any combination thereof or any derivative thereof. The base fluid may comprise a liquid chelating agent or scale control agent by itself. Generally, the base fluid may be from any source, provided that it does not contain components that might adversely affect the stability and/or performance of the treatment fluids of the present invention.

The chelating agent compositions of the present invention generally comprise a biodegradable chelating agenL any salt thereof or any derivative thereof. Examples of suitable derivatives of biodegradable chelating agents include esters and alkylated derivatives, for instance. Generally, any derivative can be used, provided that the derivative still maintains an affinity for binding metal cations. Examples of suitable salts of the biodegradable chelating agents include sodium salts, rubidium salts, lithium salts, potassium salts, cesium salts, and ammonium salts, including tetraalkylammonium salts. Mixed salt forms can also be used, if desired.

GLDA is manufactured from a readily biodegradable, renewable, and human-consumable raw material, monosodium glutamate. In addition, GLDA is readily soluble in high concentrations over a wide pH range. In this regard GLDA is thought of as superior to many other chelating agents. GLDA chelates metal ions such as, but not limited to, calcium, iron, aluminum, and magnesium over a wide pH range and is highly soluble in aqueous treatment fluids.

At present, GLDA is commercially available in its sodium salt form. Other salt forms may be available non-commercially, or in smaller quantities, or may be made through an ion-exchange technique discussed below. The preferred form for use in conjunction with the embodiments described herein in which hydrofluoric acid or a hydrofluoric acid generating compound is used is not the monovalent metal salt form (i.e., an alkali metal salt), but rather an ammonium or tetraalkylammonium salt of GLDA. A suitable commercial source of GLDA is a 47 wt. % aqueous solution from Akzo-Nobel Corp.

available under the tradename “DISSOLVING.”

MGDA is also commercially available in its sodium salt form. A suitable commercial source of MGDA is a 40 wt % aqueous solution of the sodium salt form, sold by BASF under the tradename “TRILON M.”

Where a sodium salt of GLDA, MGDA, or any other biodegradable chelating agent is available, it may be desirable to exchange the sodium cations for other cations such as, for example, potassium, ammonium or tetraalkylammonium cations. An ammonium or tetraalkylanunonium salt is the preferred salt in the context of the present invention for treatment operations conducted in siliceous formations including, for example, clays and sandstones in which hydrofluoric acid or a hydrofluoric acid generating compound is used, tn the case of carbonates, the potassium salt may be preferred. Exchange of the sodium cations for other cations can avoid precipitation of compounds such as, for example, NaHSiFfi. Cation exchange is contemplated to take place under conditions known to one of ordinary skill in the art Methods for exchanging sodium cations for potassium, ammonium, or tetraalkylammonium cations are contemplated to include, without limitation, ion exchange chromatography and selective precipitation techniques. Other means for exchanging the sodium cations can be envisioned by one having ordinary skill in the art As discussed further below, it is contemplated that exchange of at least a portion of the sodium cations can produce better solubility properties and beneficially improve other operational characteristics of a treatment fluid containing GLDA or another biodegradable chelating agent of the present invention.

Lesser concentrations of the free acid of the chelating agent can be produced under acidic conditions by diluting the acid in an appropriate volume of water. The amount to include will depend on the specific minerals and quantity present in the subterranean formation, and the purpose of use and desired pH of the biodegradable chelating agent composition. Exemplary ranges are discussed below. The pH window for clays may be about 1 to about 6. The pH window for clays may be about 1.6 to about 4.5. The pH window for clays may be about 1.5 to about 1.8. The pH window for days may be about 1.6 to about

3. The treatment fluid may have a pH ranging between about 1.5 and about 5, or the treatment fluid may have a pH ranging between about 1.5 and about 3. Particularly below these ranges, the biodegradable chelating agent may be ineffective for coordinating formation cations, as discussed below. When removing carbonate or carbonate scale, the pH of the treatment fluid may be about 5 to about 10. A preferred pH range for carbonate formations may be 6 to about 9. The pH will be dependent on what purpose the chelating agent will serve downhole. A person having ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure will be able to select the appropriate pH for a given application.

In embodiments in which a pipe, tubing, or like vessel is treated with the treatment fluids, higher pH values may be more advantageous due to the possibility of corrosion occurring at lower pH values. The pH for treating a pipe, tubing, or like vessel may range between about 5 and about 10. Preferably, the pH may range between about 5 and about 8 or between about 6 and about 8. Alternatively, the pH may be greater than about 8. It should be noted that at these higher pH values, the chelating agents will be significantly deprotonated and operable for chelating meta] ions. For some applications such as, for example, the dissolution of barium scales, particularly in a pipe, tubing, or like vessel, high pH values such as about 8 or above or about 10 or above may be beneficial in this regard.

In addition to the intended function that the chelating agent will serve while downhole, the acid dissociation constants of the chelating agent can dictate the pH range over which the treatment fluid can be most effectively used. GLDA, for instance, has a pK, value of about 2.6 for its most acidic carboxylic acid functionality. Below a pH value of about 2.6, dissolution of formation cations will be promoted primarily by the acidity of a treatment fluid containing GLDA, rather than by chelation, since the chelating agent will be in a fully protonated state. MGDA, in contrast, has a pK_a value in the range of about 1.5 to 1.6 for its most acidic carboxylic acid group, and it will not become fully protonated until the pH is lowered to below about 1.5 to 1.6. In this respect, MGDA is particularly beneficial for use in acidic treatment fluids, since it extends the acidity range by nearly a lull pH unit over which the chelating agent is an active chelant. The lower pH of the treatment fluid beneficially allows for a more vigorous acidizing operation to take place. For comparison purposes, the acid dissociation constant of EDDS (2.4) is comparable to that of GLDA.

Of the biodegradable chelating agents described herein, GLDA and MGDA are currently available from commercial sources in bulk quantities with a reliable supply stream. From a supply standpoint, these biodegradable chelating agents are therefore preferred. For the reasons noted above, these chelating agents are operable over a different range of pH values, and they are complementary to one another in this respect In addition to their pH complementarity, the biodegradable chelating agents described herein can have the capacity for selective chelate formation with different metal ions, both as an inherent function of the chelate stability constant and a kinetic/thermodyuamic formation rate as a function of pH. In this regard, other biodegradable chelating agents that are less readily available from commercial sources such as, for example, EDDS, β-ADA, IDS, and/or HIDS can be used singly or combined with GLDA or MGDA in order to “fine tune” the chelation properties of a treatment fluid. Other combinations of biodegradable chelating agents can be considered as well. Table 1 shows an illustrative listing of stability constants for various metal complexes of GLDA, MGDA, EDDS, IDS, HIDS, β-ADA and ethyiencdiaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA).

Table 1

<td> Chelating Agent</td><td> Cation</td><td> Log Stability Constant</td>

<td> EDTA</td><td> Fe(ni)</td><td> 10.65</td>

<td> EDTA</td><td> &lt;XH)</td><td> 25.1</td>

<td> MGDA</td><td> Fe(U)</td><td> 8.1</td>

<td> MGDA</td><td> Fe(IH)</td><td> 16.5</td>

<td> MGDA</td><td> Ca(lD</td><td> 6.97</td>

<td> MGDA</td><td> Mg(II)</td><td> 5.8</td>

<td> GLDA</td><td> Ca(II)</td><td> 5.9</td>

<td> GLDA</td><td> Fe(in)</td><td> 11.7</td>

<td> EDDS</td><td> Fe(IIl)</td><td> 22.0</td>

<td> EDDS</td><td> Caill)</td><td> 4.58</td>

<td> EDDS</td><td> Mg (II)</td><td> 6.09</td>

<td> EDS</td><td> Fe(ih)</td><td> 15.2</td>

<td> IDS</td><td> Ca(n)</td><td> 6.97</td>

<td> IDS</td><td> Mg(II)</td><td> 43-5.8</td>

<td> β-ADA</td><td> Fe(III)</td><td> 133-16</td>

<td> β-ADA</td><td> Fe(II)</td><td> 8.9</td>

<td> β-ADA</td><td> Ca(II)</td><td> 5</td>

<td colspan="3"> 13</td>

<td> Chelating Agent</td><td> Cation</td><td> Log Stability Constant</td>

<td> p-ADA</td><td> Mg (II)</td><td> 5.3</td>

<td> HIDS</td><td> Fefll)</td><td> 6.98</td>

<td> HIDS</td><td> Fe(III)</td><td> 14.36</td>

<td> HIDS</td><td> Ca(ID</td><td> 5.12</td>

As shown in Table 1, EDDS, for example, can be included in a treatment fluid containing MGDA when a higher affinity for binding of Fe(III) is desired and/or a lower affinity for Ca(II) binding is needed. The combination of MGDA and EDDS has been described for illustrative purposes only, and upon knowing the stability constant of a given chelating agent fora given metal cation, one of ordinary skill in the art will be able to envision an appropriate treatment fluid containing any combination of the biodegradable chelating agents for a given application.

In addition to the stability constant, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the ability of a given chelating agent to react with a given cation will be a function of the treatment fluid’s pH. For instance, the maximum chelation of Fe(IH) takes place at a pH of about 3 with MGDA and decreases at lower pH values. In contrast, the maximum chelation of Ca(II) and Mg(II) takes place at a higher pH with this chelating agent Therefore, by adjusting the pH of the treatment fluid, its properties for binding a cation of interest can be altered. In the illustrative example described, a treatment fluid having a pH of about 3 or below can be used to selectively remove FeflU) cations, while leaving Ca(II) and Mg(H) uncomplexed, thereby not wasting the chelating agent on cations whose chelation is unwanted.

The chelating agent composition may comprise about 1% to about 50% by weight of the treatment fluid. Preferably, the chelating agent composition may comprise about 3% to about 40% by weight of the treatment fluid. The ratio of the chelating agent composition to water in a treatment fluid may be about 1% to about 50% by weight based on a known or existing concentration. Preferably, the ratio of the chelating agent composition to water in a treatment fluid may be about 1% to about 20% by weight based on a known or existing concentration. This ratio may be about 3% to about 6%.

The treatment fluid may further comprise an acid. The acid may be a mineral acid such as, for example, hydrochloric acid. The acid may comprise hydrofluoric acid or a hydrofluoric acid generating compound. When present, the hydrofluoric acid in a treatment fluid of the present invention may be produced from a suitable hydrofluoric acid generating compound. Examples of suitable hydrofluoric acid generating compounds include, but are not limited to, fluoroboric acid, fluorosulfuric add, hexafluorophosphoric add, hexafluoroantimonic acid, difluorophosphoric acid, hexafluorosilicic acid, potassium hydrogen difluoride, sodium hydrogen difluoride, boron trifluoride acetic add complex, boron trifluoride phosphoric acid complex, boron trifluoride dihydrate, polyvinylaramonium fluoride, polyvinylpyridinium fluoride, pyridinium fluoride, imidazolium fluoride, ammonium fluoride, ammonium bifluoride, tetrafluoroborate salts, hexafluoroantimonate salts, hexafluorophosphate salts, bifluoride salts, and any combination thereof When used, a hydrofluoric acid generating compound can be present in the treatment fluids in an amount ranging between about 0.1 % to about 20% by weight of the treatment fluid. An amount of the hydrofluoric acid generating compound may range between about 0.5% to about 10% or about 0.5% to about 8% by weight of the treatment fluid.

The treatment fluids of the present invention may also include a viscoelastic surfactant Generally, any suitable surfactant that is capable of imparting viscoelastic properties to an aqueous fluid may be used in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. These surfactants may be cationic, anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic or amphoteric in nature, and comprise any number of different compounds, including methyl ester sulfonates (such as those described in commonly owned United States Patents 7,159,659, 7,299,874, and 7,303,019 and United States Patent Application No. 11/058,611, fried February 15, 2005 and now available as United States Patent Application Publication 20060183646, each of which is incorporated by reference herein), betaines, modified betaines, sulfosuccinates, taurates, amine oxides, ethoxylated fatty amines, quaternary ammonium compounds, any derivative thereof, and any combination thereof When present in the treatment fluids of the present invention, the surfactant is generally present in an amount sufficient to provide a desired viscosity (e.g., sufficient viscosity to divert flow, reduce fluid loss, suspend particulates, and the like) through the formation of viscosifying micelles. The surfactant generally may comprise from about 0.5% to about 10%, by volume, of the treatment fluid. The surfactant may comprise from about 1% to about 5%, by volume, of the treatment fluid.

When including a surfactant, the treatment fluids of the present invention may also comprise one or more cosurfactants to, among other things, facilitate the formation of and/or stabilize a foam, facilitate the formation of micelles (eg., viscosifying micelles), increase salt tolerability, and/or stabilize the treatment fluid. The cosurfactant may comprise any surfactant suitable for use in subterranean environments that does not adversely affect the treatment fluid. Examples of cosurfactants suitable for use in the present invention include, but are not limited to, linear Cio - C« alkyl benzene sulfonates, branched Cio - Cu alkyl benzene sulfonates, tallow alkyl sulfonates, coconut alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates, sulfated condensation products of mixed Cw - Cis tallow alcohols with about 1 to about 14 moles of ethylene oxide, and mixtures of higher fatty acids containing about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms. The cosurfactant may be present in an amount in the range of from about 0.05% to about 5% by volume of the treatment fluid. Preferably, the cosurfactant may be present in an amount in the range of from about 0.25% to about 0.5% by volume of the treatment fluid. The type and amount of cosurfactant suitable for a particular application of the present invention may depend upon a variety of factors, such as the type of surfactant present in the treatment fluid, the composition of the treatment fluid, the temperature of the treatment fluid, and the like. A person of ordinary skill in the art, with die benefit of this disclosure, will recognize when to include a cosurfactant in a particular application of the present invention, as well as the appropriate type and amount of cosurfactant to include.

The treatment fluids of the present invention may optionally comprise one or more salts to modify the rheological properties (e.g, viscosity) of the treatment fluids. These salts may be organic or inorganic. Examples of suitable organic salts (or free acid forms of organic salts) include, but are not limited to, aromatic sulfonates and carboxylates (e.g, p-toluenesulfonate and napthalenesulfonate), hydroxynapthalene carboxylates, salicylates, phthalates, chlorobenzoic acid, phthalic acid, 5-hydroxy-l -naphthoic acid, 6hydroxy-1-naphthoic acid, 7-hydroxy-1-naphthoic acid, l-hydroxy-2-naphtfaoic acid, 3hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, 5-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, 7-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, 1,3dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, 3,4-dichlorobenzoate, trimethylammonium hydrochloride and tetramethylammonium chloride. Examples of suitable inorganic salts include water-soluble potassium, sodium, and ammonium salts (e.g, potassium chloride and ammonium chloride). Any combination of the salts listed above also may be included in the treatment fluids of the present invention. Where included, the one or more salts may be present in an amount ranging between about 0.1% to about 75% by weight of the treatment fluid. Preferably, the one or more salts may be present in an amount ranging from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the treatment fluid. A person of ordinary skill in the art, with the benefit of this disclosure, will recognize when to include a salt in a particular application of the present invention, as well as the appropriate type and amount of salt to include.

The treatment fluids of the present invention may also include one or more well-known additives, such as gel stabilizers, fluid loss control additives, particulates, acids, corrosion inhibitors, catalysts, clay stabilizers, biocides, friction reducers, additional surfactants, solubilizers, pH adjusting agents, bridging agents, dispersants, flocculants, foatners, gases, defoamers, HiS scavengers, CO2 scavengers, oxygen scavengers, scale inhibitors, lubricants, viscosiflers, weighting agents, and the like. One of ordinary skill in the art, with the benefit of this disclosure, will be able to determine the appropriate type and amount of such additives for a particular application. For example, it may be desired to foam a treatment fluid of the present invention using a gas, such as air, nitrogen, or carbon dioxide.

The methods described herein may comprise providing a treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, hydrofluoric acid or a hydrofluoric acid generating compound, and a chelating agent composition comprising glutamic acid diacetic add, any salt thereof or any derivative thereof and introducing the treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation. The treatment fluid may remove potentially damaging precipitates from the formation, for example. Any other biodegradable chelating agent described herein can also be used in combination with or in place of the GLDA.

Treatment fluids comprising an aqueous base fluid and a chelating agent composition comprising glutamic acid diacetic acid, any salt thereof or any derivative thereof are described herein.

The methods described herein may comprise providing a treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid and a chelating agent composition comprising glutamic acid diacetic acid, any salt thereof, or any derivative thereof and introducing the treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation. Any other biodegradable chelating agent described herein can also be used in combination with or in place of the GLDA.

The methods described herein may comprise providing a treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid and a chelating agent composition comprising at least one chelating agent selected from methylglycine diacetic acid, β-alanine diacetic acid, ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid, S,S-ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid, iminodisuccinic acid, hydroxyiminodisuccinic acid, polyamino disuccinic acids, N-bis[2-(l,2dicarboxyethoxy)ethyl]glycine, N-bis[2-(l,2-dicarboxyethoxy)ethyl]aspartic acid, N-bis[2(1,2-dicarboxyethoxy)ethyI]methyIgIycine, N-tris[(l ^-dicarboxyethoxyjethyljamine, Nmethyliminodiacetic acid, iminodiacetic acid, N-(2-acetamido)iminodiacetic acid, hydroxymethyl-iminodiacetic acid, 2-(2-caiboxyethylamino) succinic acid, 2-(2carboxymethylamino) succinic acid, diethylenetriamine-N,N”-disuccinic acid, triethylenetetramine-N,N”’-disuccinic acid, 1,6-hexamethylenediamine-N,Ν’-disuccinic acid, tetraethylenepentamine-NJN””-disuccinic acid, 2-hydroxypropylene-l,3-diamine-N,N’disuccinic acid, l,2-propylenediamine-N,N’-di$uccinic acid, l,3-propylenediamine-N,N’disuccmic acid, cis-cyclohexanediamine-N^i’-disuccinic acid, trans-cyclobexanediamineN,N*-disuccinic acid, ethylenebis(oxyethylenenitrilo)-N,N*-disuccinic acid, gluooheptanoic acid, cystcic acid-N,N-diacetic acid, cysteic acid-N-monoacetic acid, alanine-N-monoacetic acid, N-(3-hydroxysuccinyl) aspartic acid, N-[2-(3-hydroxysuccinyl)]-L-serine, aspartic acidΝ,Ν-diacetic acid, aspartic acid-N-tnonoacetic acid, any salt thereof, any derivative thereof, and any combination thereof; and introducing the treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation. The treatment fluid may further comprise an acid. The treatment fluid may further comprise hydrofluoric acid or a hydrofluoric acid generating compound.

The methods described herein may comprise providing a treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid and a chelating agent composition comprising at least one chelating agent selected from methylglycine diacetic acid, any salt thereof, any derivative thereof, and any combination thereof; and introducing the treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation. The treatment fluid may further comprise hydrofluoric acid or a hydrofluoric acid generating compound. The chelating agent composition may be substantially free of alkali metal ions and comprise an ammonium or tetraalkylammonium salt of the biodegradable chelating agent. Other biodegradable chelating agents described herein may be used in combination with methylglycine diacetic acid.

The methods described herein may comprise providing a treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid and a chelating agent composition comprising at least one chelating agent selected from glutamic acid diacetic acid, methylglycine diacetic acid, βalanine diacetic acid, ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid, S,S-ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid, iminodisuccinic acid, hydroxyiminodisuccinic acid, polyamino disuccinic acids, N-bis[2-(l,218 dicarboxyethoxy)ethyl]glycine, N-bis[2-(l,2-dicarboxyethoxy)ethy]]aspartic acid, N-bis(2(l,2-dicafboxyethoxy)ethyl]methylglycine, N-tris[(l^-dicarboxyethoxy)ethyl]ainine, Nmethyliminodiacetic acid, iminodiacetic acid, N-(2-aDetamido)irninodiacetic acid, hydroxymethyl-iminodiacetic acid, 2-(2-caiboxyethylainino) succinic acid, 2-(2carboxymethylamino) succinic acid, diethylenetriamine-N,N^ff-disuccinic acid, triethylenetctramine-N,N”*-disuccinic acid, l,6-hexamefoylenediamine-N,N’-disuccinic acid, tetraethylenepentamLne-N,N””-disuccinic acid, 2-hydroxypropylene-l,3-diamine-N,N’disuccimc acid, l,2-propylenediamine-NJ4’-disuccmic add, l3-propylenediamine-N,N’disuccinic acid, cis-cyclohexanediamine-N^i’-disuccinic acid, trans-cyclohexancdiamineΝ,Ν’-disuccinic acid, ethylenebisioxyethylenenitrilo^N^f’-disuccinic acid, glucoheptanoic acid, cysteic acid-N,N-diacetic acid, cysteic acid-N-monoacetic acid, alanine-N-monoacetic acid, N-(3-hydroxysuccinyl) aspartic acid, N-[2&lt;3-hydroxysuccinyl)]-L-serine, aspartic acidΝ,Ν-diacetic acid, aspartic acid-N-monoacetic acid, any salt thereof, any derivative thereof, and any combination thereof; and treating a pipe or tubing with the treatment fluid. Treating a pipe or tubing with the treatment fluid may comprise removing metal ion scale from the pipe or tubing. The pipe may comprise a well bore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation. The treatment fluid may have a pH ranging between about 6 and about 8. The treatment fluid may have a pH of at least about 8.

Preferably, an acidic treatment fluid of the present invention that comprises an aqueous base fluid, hydrofluoric acid or a hydrofluoric acid generating compound, and a biodegradable chelating agent composition that comprises glutamic acid diacetic acid, any glutamic acid diacetic acid salt, or any glutamic acid diacetic acid derivative may be used in prevention methods to prevent the formation of precipitates such as, for example, those produced in conjunction with a hydrofluoric acid treatment in a sandstone formation. These embodiments are most appropriate for formations that comprise clays or include cations that can be problematic in terms of precipitate formation. Alternatively, other biodegradable chelating agents such as, for example MGDA, β-ADA, EDDS, IDS, HIDS, any salt thereof, any derivative thereof, any combination thereof, or any other biodegradable chelating agent described herein can be used in place of or in combination with GLDA, any GLDA salt, or any GLDA derivative. Optionally, the hydrofluoric acid or hydrofluoric acid generating compound can be omitted from the treatment fluid, particularly if the subterranean formation being treated is not a sandstone or like siliceous formation.

The treatment fluids of the present invention may be used as a pretreatment to a fracturing treatment, especially in subterranean formations that contain different layers of sedimentary rock. In such embodiments, a treatment fluid of the present invention comprising an aqueous base fluid, hydrofluoric acid or a hydrofluoric acid generating compound, and a chelating agent composition of the present invention that comprises glutamic acid diacetic acid, any glutamic acid diacetic acid salt, or any glutamic acid diacetic acid derivative is placed in a subterranean formation via a well bore before a fracturing treatment. The subsequent fracturing treatment can be a traditional fracturing treatment or an additional acidizing treatment directed at treating the particulate pack introduced during the fracturing operation. In such embodiments, the use of the treatment fluid of the present invention may be considered a prevention mechanism to prevent the formation of potentially problematic precipitates. As before, other biodegradable chelating agents such as, for example MGDA, β-ADA, EDDS, IDS, HDDS, any salt thereof, any derivative thereof, combinations thereof, or any other biodegradable chelating agent described herein can be used in place of or in combination with GLDA, any GLDA salt, or any GLDA derivative, and the hydrofluoric acid or hydrofluoric add generating compound can be optionally omitted.

A treatment fluid of the present invention comprising an aqueous base fluid, hydrofluoric acid or a hydrofluoric acid generating compound, and a chelating agent composition of the present invention (hat comprises glutamic acid diacetic acid, any glutamic acid diacetic add salt, or any glutamic add diacetic acid derivative may be used to clean the well bore area before bringing the well into final production. Using such a treatment fluid can remove damage, blockages, debris, and natural clays in the formation, for example. In at least some embodiments, this method may be considered a remediation method of the present invention. As before, other biodegradable chelating agents such as, for example MGDA, βADA, EDDS, IDS, HIDS, any sah thereof, any derivative thereof, any combination thereof, or any other biodegradable chelating agent described herein can be used in place of or in combination with GLDA, any GLDA salt, or any GLDA derivative, and the hydrofluoric acid or hydrofluoric acid generating compound can be optionally omitted.

The treatment fluids of the present invention may be useful in formations that comprise siliceous materials, for example, naturally occurring sandstone, propping material, etc. A siliceous material can be naturally present in the formation, e.g., the sandstone, or deliberately introduced, e.g., a quartz proppant. Due to the geochemical processes operative in the formation, such as high temperature, high pressure, and abrupt changes to the geochemical balance after the introduction of treatment fluids of different ionic strength, the siliceous material can undergo rapid changes that lead to reduction of permeability or hydraulic conductivity. When the treatment is carried out in the matrix of the sandstone, the effect is believed to remove aluminosilicates from the conductive pathways. In a particulate pack or a propped fracture, the effects are compounded because, under certain scenarios, geochemical scaling can occur. Another reason is due to fines migration, which is the displacement of particles from the rock matrix into the pack and their subsequent deposition. Furthermore, the presence of aluminum in a sandstone and in those ceramic proppants made of alumina exacerbate the problem due their intrinsic reactivity in low pH media or under abrupt changes to the chemical potential of a fluid leading to dissolution of the material. This signifies that varying amounts of silicon and/or aluminum are placed into solution, can migrate and re-precipitate or crystallize and form new minerals that obstruct the flow of fluids.

Where clays or other siliceous minerals are not present in the formation, the treatment fluid may not include hydrofluoric acid or a hydrofluoric acid generating compound. Glutamic acid diacetic acid, any glutamic acid diacetic acid salt, any glutamic acid diacetic acid derivative or any of the alternative biodegradable chelating agents described herein, or any of their salts or derivatives described herein may be sufficient to perform the desired preventive action. In some embodiments where clays are present in the formation, it may be desirable to remediate precipitate damage present in the well bore or in the formation that may be blocking pore throats within the formation. Such methods may be appropriate any time where production has declined due to the presence of particulates or fines that obstruct pore throats in the near well bore area.

An additional acid may be included in the treatment fluid. The additional acid may be a mineral acid such as, for example, hydrochloric acid, which may be included in the treatment fluid with hydrofluoric acid or a hydrofluoric acid generating compound. The additional acid may be an organic acid such as, for example, chloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, or methanesulfonic acid. In either case, the additional acid can serve to keep the pH of the fluid at a desired low level, particularly a level at which the chelating agent is active for chelation to occur.

It may be desirable to include a salt or a salt substitute in the treatment fluid. The beneficial effects of a salt or salt substitute are surprising, since it is conventionally believed that adding a salt to a treatment fluid can exacerbate precipitation problems. A preferred example of a suitable salt is ammonium chloride or like ammonium salt. It is believed that this is a problem specific to treatment fluids containing hydrofluoric acid or a hydrofluoric acid generating compound, since alkali metal salts such as sodium and potassium salts can promote the formation of precipitates in the presence of fluoride ions. In contrast, adding an ammonium salt will not exacerbate the precipitation problem.

The treatment fluids of the present invention may be used to treat a proppant pack, particularly where the proppant pack’s hydraulic conductivity has been impacted.

To facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, the following examples of preferred embodiments are given. In no way should the following examples be read to limit, or to define, the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES

Experiment 1

A solution of DISSOLVINE® (GLNA40S) available from AkzoNobel was used in the preparation of the treatment fluid. A solution containing 3.5 wt. % of GLNA40S was prepared by dissolving 363.5 g of concentrated form into a base fluid. The base fluid consisted of 2% NaCl containing 20 g/L of tannic acid. After fully mixing all components, the pH of the final volume of solution (4 L) was adjusted to pH 1.6 with 35% HCl. The solution was filtered through a 0.40 micron membrane. It was stable for the duration of the testing period (days). A 2” x 12” long Hassler sleeve was employed to conduct a core flood acid test at 320°F [160°C], The sleeve was packed with a homogenized mixture of quartz (Oklahoma #1 sand) (94 wt. %), K-feldspar (2 wt. %), and the aluminosilicate chlorite (4 wt. %). The pore volume (PV) of the packed column corresponded to 110 mL.

The column was treated with the following fluid sequence:

4PV, 2% NaCl (pH 6),

PV, 3.5% GLNA40S (pH 1.6) with Tannic acid,

PV, 5% Ammonium acetate (pH 4.5), and 3PV, 2% NaCl (pH 6).

The results of the core flood indicated that during the 2 PV of DISSOLVINE® (GLNA40S) exposure, indicated on Figure 1 by the arrow spanning samples 4-12, the amount of Al³*, as detected by ICP-OES, increase gradually until the chelating agent injection was stopped. Once the sand/chlorite pack was no longer exposed to the chelating fluid the aluminum released into solution ceased. The flow rate was 2 mL/min throughout the first 1.5 PV and then increased to 5 mL/min during the last 0.5 PV. The effluent was collected at intervals of 0.5 and 1 PV analyzed for Al³* and Si^&lt;+ by ICP, no quantitative precipitates were observed in the effluent which was stable for days at room temperature after collection. The respective effluent samples collected for ICP analysis were not acidified with any additional acid, rather they were analyzed in their respective pH at collection time. The amount of silicon remained nearly constant.

The following description corresponds to visual observations, and titrations conducted. All tests, including the core flood (describe above in Experiment 1), made use of a fluid consisting of DISSOLVINE® GLDA (GL-NA40S) and tannic acid.

The solubility of Al³* in concentrations of 200 to 3000 ppm was independently tested at room temperature. 100 mL of a stock solution (1.45 M pH 1.45) was placed in a stirred beaker, and the pH was gradually raised with strong base (1 M NaOH or 2 Μ NH4OH in order to minimize volume changes due to dilution). Precipitation of aluminum hydroxide ensued shortly after reaching pH 2.5 and nearly fully precipitated quantitatively at pH 3 in the absence of any chelating agent. When GLDA was employed in concentrations of 3.5 wt % or 12 wt %, precipitation was effectively suppressed as the pH increased from the starting pH of 1.45 to 4. After reaching pH 4, a relatively minor amount of flocculated particles were evident, but no precipitate formed for days. The solution employed of GLDA in this case contained tannic acid, but the latter had no effect on the chelation of Al³*. Rather, the effective complexation of Al³* in the presence of another reagent (GLDA) was proven to be effective in the same pH range.

Experiment 3

A glass vial containing 5 g of mineral (clay or quartz) was mixed with 15 or 20 mL of treatment fluid. The treatment fluid was composed of GLDA 15 wt. % and 3 wt.

% NH4HF2 with sufficient HCl to adjust the pH to the indicated value in Table 2 below. The reaction mixtures were heated in a heated cylinder to 95°C for 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 hours and automatically shaken (at 200 rpm). The reaction fluid was collected via a syringe and filtrated through a 0.45 micron membrane filter prior to ICP-AES analysis, the pH of the solution was not adjusted via any means. The elemental analysis for each mineral is provided in Table 2.

It is noteworthy to point out that the point of these experiments was not to optimize the fluid composition, but rather show the effectiveness of the GLDA even in the presence of a hydrofluoric acid generating compound like ammonium bifluoride. While there are sodium pentafluorosilicates and hexafluorosilicates, known damaging precipitates resulting from the reaction of HSiFj- (primary reaction) as identified by powder XRD of the solid mixture after completely drying in an oven at 100°C for 2 - 4 h, the amount of dissolved silicon in these fluids remained substantial. The reaction of illite with the fluid showed that the clay was attacked by the fluid as the spent fluid contained all the elements present in the virgin structure. The reaction of chlorite proved to be more effective as demonstrated by the larger concentration of Al and Si, as well as all others having ions. Kaolinite on the other hand showed diminished dissolution, as expected, for this clay mineral under the experiment conditions. Bentonite also showed diminished reactivity, this could be due to actual precipitation for the dissolved silica or pentafluorosilicates. Sand did not significantly react.

Table 2

<td></td><td> Sample</td><td> Al mg/L [ppm]</td><td> Si mg/L [ppm|</td><td> PH</td><td> VoL (mL)</td>

<td> Illhe</td><td> 1</td><td> S16</td><td> 304</td><td> 1.3</td><td> 20</td>

<td></td><td> 2</td><td> 768</td><td> 309</td><td> 1.3</td><td> 20</td>

<td></td><td> 3</td><td> 2,041</td><td> 364</td><td> 1.3</td><td> 20</td>

<td></td><td> 4</td><td> 531</td><td> 258</td><td> 13</td><td> 20</td>

<td></td><td> 5</td><td> 522</td><td> 281</td><td> 1.3</td><td> 20</td>

<td> Chlorite</td><td> 6</td><td> 1,789</td><td> 754</td><td> 1.3</td><td> 20</td>

<td></td><td> 7</td><td> 1,654</td><td> 752</td><td> 13</td><td> 20</td>

<td></td><td> 8</td><td> 1,702</td><td> 748</td><td> 13</td><td> 20</td>

<td></td><td> 9</td><td> 1,400</td><td> 933</td><td> 13</td><td> 20</td>

<td></td><td> 10</td><td> 1375</td><td> 898</td><td> 13</td><td> 20</td>

<td> Kaolinite</td><td> 11</td><td> 750</td><td> 220</td><td> 13</td><td> 20</td>

<td></td><td> 12</td><td> 1,167</td><td> 220</td><td> 13</td><td> 20</td>

<td></td><td> 13</td><td> 684</td><td> 197</td><td> 13</td><td> 20</td>

<td></td><td> 14</td><td> 684</td><td> 201</td><td> 13</td><td> 20</td>

<td> Bentonite</td><td> 15</td><td> 138</td><td> 273</td><td> 3</td><td> 15</td>

<td></td><td> 16</td><td> 275</td><td> 198</td><td> 3</td><td> 15</td>

<td></td><td> 17</td><td> 177</td><td> 257</td><td> 3</td><td> 15</td>

<td></td><td> 18</td><td> 132</td><td> 277</td><td> 3</td><td> 15</td>

<td> Sand</td><td> 23</td><td> X</td><td> 405</td><td> 13</td><td> 20</td>

<td></td><td> 24</td><td> X</td><td> 103</td><td> 13</td><td> 20</td>

<td></td><td> 25</td><td> X</td><td> 112</td><td> 13</td><td> 20</td>

<td></td><td> 26</td><td> X</td><td> 50</td><td> 13</td><td> 20</td>

Therefore, the present invention is well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the present invention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent maimers apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered, combined, or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope of the present invention. While compositions and methods are described in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including’’ various components or steps, the compositions and methods can also “consist essentially of¹ or “consist of the various components and steps. All numbers and ranges disclosed above may vary by some amount. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range foiling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the form, “from about a to about b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a to b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a-b) disclosed herein is to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles “a or “an,” as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the element that it introduces. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted.