Corrosion inhibitor intensifier and method of using the same

Abstract

An aqueous organic acid composition containing a terpene as corrosion inhibitor intensifier is especially suitable for use in acidizing subterranean formations and wellbores. The composition substantially reduces the corrosive effects of the acidic solution on metals in contact with the acidic solution. Suitable terpenes include carotene, limonene, pinene, farnesene, camphor, cymene and menthol.

1 . A composition for inhibiting or reducing the corrosion of metals comprising: 
 (A.) an acid;    (B. a corrosion inhibitor; and    (C.) a corrosion inhibitor intensifier comprising a terpene or a derivative thereof.    
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of corrosion inhibitor intensifier in the composition is between from about 1 to about 10% by volume.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the acid comprises at least one mineral acid or organic acid.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein the mineral acid is hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid or sulfuric acid.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein the organic acid is at least one acid selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, formic acid, citric acid, phosphonic acid and an aminopolycarboxylic acid and salts thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the terpene is selected from at least one member selected from the group consisting of a hydrocarbon, alcohol, aldehyde and ketone.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the terpene is either monocyclic or bicyclic.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the terpene is a monoterpene, sesquiterpene, diterpene, triterpene or tetraterpene.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein the terpene is at least one member selected from the group consisting of carotene, limonene, pinene, farnesene, camphor and menthol.  
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein the terpene is alpha-pinene.  
     
     
         11 . A method of reducing corrosive effects on metal during well stimulation by introducing into the well the composition of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the terpene is at least one member selected from the group consisting of a hydrocarbon, alcohol, aldehyde and ketone.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the terpene is monocyclic or bicyclic.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the terpene is a monoterpene, sesquiterpene, diterpene, triterpene or tetraterpene.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the terpene is at least one member selected from the group consisting of carotene, limonene, pinene, farnesene, camphor and menthol.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the terpene is alpha-pinene.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the volume ratio of corrosion inhibitor intensifier to corrosion inhibitor introduced into the well is from about 10:90 to about 90:10.  
     
     
         18 . A method of acidizing a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore with an aqueous acid solution whereby the corrosive effect of the acid solution on metal contacted thereby is minimized by the addition of at least one corrosion inhibitor and at least one corrosion inhibitor intensifier comprising a terpene or a derivative thereof.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the corrosion inhibitor intensifier is combined with the aqueous organic acid solution in an amount in the range of from about 1% to about 10% by volume of the aqueous organic acid solution.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the terpene is at least one member selected from the group consisting of a hydrocarbon, alcohol, aldehyde or ketone and is monocyclic or bicyclic.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the volume ratio of corrosion inhibitor intensifier to corrosion inhibitor introduced into the well is from about 10:90 to about 90:10.  
     
     
         22 . A method of contacting and reacting acid soluble materials with an aqueous organic acid solution whereby the corrosive effect of the acid solution on metal also contacted thereby is minimized comprising the steps of combining a corrosion inhibitor and a terpene, as corrosion inhibitor intensifier, with the aqueous organic acid solution.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the corrosion inhibitor intensifier is combined with the aqueous organic acid solution in an amount in the range of from about 1% to about 10% by volume of the aqueous organic acid solution.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the terpene is at least one member selected from the group consisting of carotene, limonene, pinene, farnesene, camphor and menthol.