The mechanism of EDTA Acid is to bind metal ions to form a ring structure. In Oil well drilling fluids EDTA Acid is used as strong chelating agents that stabilize or prevent the precipitation of damaging compounds. The role of chelating agents are widely accepted in stimulation treatments and for cleaning the surface facilities.

More often EDTA Acid removes scale in reservoir drilling fluids. In the acid or scale-removal treatments, various compounds may be dissolved in the treatment fluid. As the acid reacts and the pH also increases subsequently , products prevent precipitation by keeping ions in a soluble form until the treatment fluid can be flowed back from the formation during cleanup. Alongwith EDTA Acid chelating agents other products like citric acid is also used.