Summary
Viscoelastic surfactants (VESs) have been used for acid diversion and fracturing fluids. VESs were introduced because they are less damaging than polymers. VESs’ high cost, low thermal stability, and incompatibility with several additives (e.g., corrosion inhibitors) limit their use. The goal of this study is to investigate the interaction of VES micelles with different nanoparticle shapes to reduce VES loadings and enhance their thermal stability.
This work examined spherical and rod-shaped nanoparticles of silica and iron oxides. The effects of particle size, shape, and surface charge on a zwitterionic VES micellization were conducted. The physical properties were measured using zeta-potential, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The rheological performances of VES solutions were evaluated at 280 and 350°F using a high-pressure/high-temperature rotational rheometer. The proppant-carrying capacity of the fracturing fluids was evaluated using a high-pressure/high-temperature see-through cell and dynamic oscillatory viscometer. The fluid loss and formation damage were determined using corefloods and computed-tomography scans.
The interaction between nanoparticles and VES is strongly dependent on the VES concentration, temperature, nanoparticle characteristics, and concentration. The spherical particles at 7-lbm/1,000 gal loading extended the VES-based-fluid thermal stability at VES loading of 4 wt% up to 350°F. The nanorods effectively enhanced and extended the thermal-stability range of the VES system at VES concentration of only 2 wt%. Both particle shapes performed similarly at 4 wt% VES and 280°F. The addition of silica nanorods extended the thermal stability of the 4 wt% VES aqueous fluid, which resulted in an apparent viscosity of 200 cp for 2 hours. The addition of rod-shaped particles enhanced the micelle to micelle entanglement, especially at VES loading of 2 wt%. The use of nanoparticles enhanced the micelle/micelle networking, boosting the fluid-storage modulus and enhancing the proppant-carrying capacity. The addition of nanoparticles to the VES lowered its fluid-loss rate and minimized formation damage caused by VES-fluid invasion.
This research gives guidelines to synthesize nanoparticles to accommodate the chemistry of surfactants for higher-temperature applications. It highlights the importance of the selected nanoparticles on the rheological performance of VES.
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