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  • 2026-01-06

Revolutionizing Seawater Injector Stimulation: The Power of GLDA Chelating Agents

In modern oilfield operations, maintaining reservoir pressure is critical for sustaining production in both carbonate and sandstone reservoirs. Seawater injection is the industry standard for pressure maintenance; however, it comes with a significant challenge: Inorganic Scaling.

When seawater—often rich in sulfates (exceeding 4,000 ppm)—meets formation water high in calcium (over 19,000 ppm), the result is the rapid precipitation of anhydrite (calcium sulfate). This scale severely damages the formation, chokes well injectivity, and historically requires expensive, time-consuming interventions.

YuanlianChemical's GLDA

The Traditional Challenge: Downtime and Cost

Conventional stimulation treatments for scale removal typically involve:

  1. Halting production/injection.

  2. Using Coiled Tubing (CT) to deliver acids.

  3. Flowing back the well to remove spent chemicals, which is logistically difficult for offshore or remote injectors.

A Modern Solution: GLDA Continuous Injection

Research now supports a more efficient method: stimulating injectors without stopping the water flow. By adding a chelating agent like GLDA (Glutamic Acid Diacetic Acid) directly at the wellhead, operators can treat the well in real-time.

As a leading provider of high-performance oilfield chemicals, Yuanlian Chemical offers high-purity GLDA solutions designed specifically for these harsh reservoir conditions.

Why GLDA is the Superior Choice for Seawater Stimulation

1. Superior Solubility and Stability

Recent studies have demonstrated that GLDA remains remarkably stable when mixed with seawater at temperatures up to 250°F under high pressure. Unlike traditional acids that may react too quickly or become unstable, GLDA maintains its integrity, ensuring the chelation process is effective deep into the formation.

2. Prevention of Anhydrite Precipitation

The primary mechanism of GLDA is its ability to sequester calcium ions. By binding with the calcium present in the formation water, GLDA prevents it from reacting with the sulfates in the seawater. This prevents the formation of anhydrite before it can damage well injectivity.

3. Wormhole Creation in Carbonate Formations

Coreflood experiments and Computed Tomography (CT) scans have confirmed that GLDA at a 15 wt% concentration is highly effective at creating dominant wormholes.

  • At 150°F to 212°F: GLDA effectively bypasses near-wellbore damage, creating clean channels that significantly increase permeability.

  • No Flow-Back Required: Because the GLDA-calcium complex remains soluble in the aquifer, there is no need to flow the well back, saving days of operational time.

4. Low Corrosivity and Equipment Safety

One of the standout features of Yuanlian Chemical’s GLDA is its "mild" nature toward well tubulars. Corrosion studies indicate that GLDA’s corrosion rate falls within allowable industry limits even without the addition of corrosion inhibitors. This eliminates the need for complex chemical "cocktails" and reduces the environmental footprint of the stimulation.

Key Benefits of the Yuanlian Chemical GLDA Method

  • Zero Downtime: Inject chemicals at the surface directly into the seawater stream.

  • No Coiled Tubing Needed: Reduces mechanical risk and mobilization costs.

  • Environmentally Friendly: GLDA is biodegradable and far safer to handle than concentrated HCl or HF acids.

  • Simplified Logistics: No need for treated or fresh water; the system is fully compatible with raw seawater.

Conclusion

The shift toward "continuous stimulation" using GLDA represents a significant leap in offshore and secondary recovery efficiency. By leveraging the high-stability chelating agents provided by Yuanlian Chemical, operators can prevent formation damage, enhance injectivity, and maintain reservoir pressure without the costly overhead of traditional workovers.

For technical specifications and case studies on how Yuanlian Chemical can optimize your water injection program, contact our technical team today.

Reference & Further Reading

For more detailed data on coreflood results and solubility tests mentioned in this study, please refer to the original research papers on "Stimulation of Seawater Injectors by GLDA" published in industry-leading petroleum engineering journals (SPE).

Yuanlian Chemical specializes in the production of polyaspartic acid (PASP),tetrasodium iminodisuccinate(IDS), GLDA, MGDA etc. with stable quality and excellent quantity!

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