Acids play a crucial role in the oil and gas industry, serving as versatile agents in processes like well stimulation, scale removal, and equipment maintenance. These chemical solutions help optimize production efficiency, mitigate flow restrictions, and ensure the longevity of infrastructure. By combining different acids or adjusting their concentrations, acids can address specific operational challenges, from dissolving mineral deposits to controlling pH and stabilizing metal ions. With applications ranging from environmentally friendly acidizing to advanced cleaning and corrosion inhibition, acids are indispensable chemical in maintaining the reliability and performance of oilfield operations.
Synonyms: Ethanoic Acid, Glacial Acetic Acid, Vinegar Acid
Appearance: Clear, Colorless Liquid
Odor: Pungent, Vinegar-Like Smell
Concentration: Various Liquid Concentrations
Packaging Options: Bulk, IBC Tote, Drum, Pail
Acetic acid is a weak organic acid widely used in the oil and gas industry for scale removal, pH adjustment, and as a solvent in chemical formulations. It is highly valued for its ability to dissolve carbonates and other mineral deposits while being less corrosive than stronger mineral acids like hydrochloric acid. Acetic acid is typically produced via the carbonylation of methanol or through the bacterial fermentation of ethanol.
pH Adjustment: Used to adjust the acidity of fluids during acidizing and cleaning operations, providing precise control of treatment conditions.
Corrosion Control Support: Used with corrosion inhibitors to mitigate the corrosive effects on metal surfaces during acid treatments.
Environmentally Friendly Acidizing: A biodegradable and less aggressive alternative to stronger acids, suitable for acidizing in environmentally sensitive areas
Iron Control: Chelates and stabilizes iron ions during acidizing treatments, preventing the formation of insoluble iron precipitates that could clog flow pathways.
Clay Stabilization: Helps to control clay swelling by managing cation exchange processes, maintaining the structural integrity of formations during stimulation and drilling.
Solvent Applications: Acts as a solvent for organic and inorganic substances in various oilfield formulations and cleaning solutions.
Scale Removal: Dissolves carbonate scales such as calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate, ensuring the maintenance of flow efficiency in pipelines and equipment.
Synonyms: 2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-propane-tricarboxylic acid
Appearance: White crystalline powder or colorless crystals
Odor: Odorless
Concentration: 99% (Solid), 20% to 50% (Liquid)
Packaging Options: Bulk, Supersack, Bag, IBC Tote, Drum, Pail
Citric acid is a weak organic acid commonly used in the oil and gas industry to chelate metal ions, dissolve scale, and prevent precipitation of iron and other minerals in wellbores and equipment cleaning operations. It is highly valued for its biodegradable and environmentally friendly properties. Citric acid is typically produced through the fermentation of sugars by the fungus Aspergillus niger using raw materials like molasses or starch.
Chelating Agent: It binds with metal ions such as iron, calcium, and magnesium to prevent scale formation and precipitation during acidizing and cleaning operations. It also stabilizes iron ions in acid treatments, preventing the formation of insoluble precipitates that could block flow pathways.
Scale Removal: Dissolves and removes carbonate and sulfate scales from pipelines, wellbores, and equipment, improving system efficiency and preventing flow restrictions.
pH Buffer: It is used to maintain desired acidity levels in fluids for acidizing and stimulation operations, ensuring optimal performance of the treatment.
Corrosion Inhibition Support: Combined with corrosion inhibitors can reduce the corrosive effects of stronger acids like hydrochloric acid, protecting equipment and infrastructure during acid treatments.
Environmentally Friendly Acidizing: It serves as a biodegradable and less aggressive alternative to strong acids, making it suitable for acidizing in environmentally sensitive areas.
Clay Stabilization: Prevents clay swelling by controlling cation exchange processes, which helps maintain the structural integrity of formations during drilling and stimulation operations.
Synonyms: Muriatic Acid, Hydrogen Chloride
Appearance: Clear, Colorless to Slightly Yellow Liquid
Odor: Pungent, Characteristic of Hydrogen Chloride Gas
Concentration: 10% to 35% (Liquid)
Packaging Options: Bulk, IBC Tote, Drums
Hydrochloric acid is a strong, corrosive mineral acid widely used in the oil and gas industry for well stimulation, scale removal, and equipment cleaning. It is a clear, colorless to slightly yellow liquid with a pungent odor. It is produced by dissolving hydrogen chloride gas in water, typically obtained as a byproduct from industrial chlorination processes or via the direct combustion of hydrogen and chlorine gases.
Well Stimulation (Acidizing): Used to dissolve carbonate formations (e.g., limestone, dolomite) to improve reservoir permeability and well productivity.
Scale Removal: Removes mineral scale deposits (e.g., calcium carbonate, iron sulfide) in production tubing and wellbores.
Pre-treatment for Hydraulic Fracturing: Cleans the wellbore and removes obstructions before fracturing operations.
Matrix Acidizing: Enhances flow paths in sandstone reservoirs when combined with other acids like hydrofluoric acid.
Equipment Cleaning: Removes rust, scale, and debris from pipelines and equipment.
Synonyms: Aqua Fortis, Spirit of Niter
Appearance: Colorless to Yellow Liquid
Odor: Pungent and Acrid
Concentration: 10% to 56% (Liquid)
Packaging Options: Bulk, IBC Tote, Drums
Nitric acid is a highly reactive and oxidizing mineral acid used in specialized oilfield applications such as equipment cleaning and the removal of organic materials or sulfide deposits. It is a colorless to yellowish liquid with a sharp, acrid odor. It is typically produced by the catalytic oxidation of ammonia, followed by absorption of nitrogen oxides in water.
Cleaning and Decontamination: Removes organic materials and oxidizes iron and other metal sulfides in pipelines and equipment.
Stimulation of Sulfide-Rich Formations: Oxidizes sulfides to improve flow conditions in specific reservoir types.
Corrosion Removal: Used to clean metal surfaces and equipment during maintenance operations.
Specialized Applications: Occasionally used as an oxidizing agent in treatments where other acids are ineffective.
Synonyms: Orthophosphoric Acid, Phosphoric(V) Acid
Appearance: Clear, Viscous Liquid
Odor: Odorless
Concentration: 25% to 75% (Liquid)
Packaging Options: Bulk, IBC Tote, Drums
Phosphoric acid is a moderately strong acid used in oil and gas operations for scale removal, corrosion inhibition, and cleaning applications. It is a clear, odorless liquid or crystalline solid depending on concentration. It is manufactured by reacting phosphate rock with sulfuric acid or via a thermal process involving the combustion of elemental phosphorus in the presence of oxygen and water.
Scale Removal: Effective in dissolving calcium phosphate and other mineral scales.
Corrosion Inhibitor Additive: Forms protective phosphate coatings on metal surfaces to prevent corrosion in pipelines and equipment.
Equipment Cleaning: Used to clean and descale pipelines, tanks, and heat exchangers.
Fracturing Fluids: Occasionally used as a component to modify fluid properties.
Synonyms: Oil of Vitriol, Hydrogen Sulfate, Battery Acid
Appearance: Colorless to Slightly Yellow
Odor: Odorless
Concentration: 50% to 98% (Liquid)
Packaging Options: Bulk, IBC Tote, Drums
Sulfuric acid is a highly strong, versatile acid widely used in oil and gas operations for descaling, pH adjustment, and chemical synthesis. It is a colorless to slightly yellow, viscous liquid with no characteristic odor but can release irritating fumes. Sulfuric acid is manufactured through the contact process, which involves the catalytic oxidation of sulfur dioxide followed by absorption in water to produce concentrated acid.
Scale Removal: Efficiently dissolves carbonate scales such as calcium carbonate and barium sulfate in production equipment and pipelines.
pH Adjustment: Used to control and lower pH levels in water treatment and other chemical processes.
Acidizing Wells: Serves as a key component in well stimulation to enhance permeability by dissolving rock formations.
Descaling and Cleaning: Removes rust, scale, and deposits from heat exchangers, tanks, and other equipment.
Chemical Synthesis: Acts as a reactant in producing other chemicals used in oil and gas operations, such as alkylation catalysts for refining processes.
Heritage Chemicals is committed to environmental responsibility in all facets of our operations. We partner with regional suppliers and adopt efficient logistics practices to reduce emissions and build a more sustainable supply chain. We are committed to responsibly sourcing our products and ensuring they remain accessible, meeting industry demands while upholding our dedication to environmental stewardship.
We understand that timely delivery minimizes downtime and keeps projects on schedule. Our short supply chain and network of manufacturers allow us to respond quickly to orders.
We ensure our partners uphold the highest safety standards and regulatory requirements to safeguard people, partnerships, and the environment.
We are committed to delivering high-quality products through rigorous testing, ensuring they consistently meet the highest standards of reliability and performance.
Our FAQ section offers quick answers to common questions about our products. If you can’t find the information you’re looking for, please contact us – our team is always ready to help.
Absolutely. If you don’t find the chemical you need on our website, we can reach out to our network of manufacturers to source the products you’re looking for.
Yes, we supply our chemicals to a variety of industries, including petrochemical, agricultural, pulp and paper, mining, water treatment and many others. Our versatile product range is designed to meet the needs of multiple sectors, ensuring reliable and efficient solutions.
Yes, our chemicals are delivered using third-party experts.
No, we get our supply from a network of manufacturers.
Yes, we offer custom blends. Please contact us for more information.
