Revolutionary Particle Fluid System Unlocks of Fractured Reservoir Potential

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia Zhou ◽  
Paul Carman ◽  
Hong Sun ◽  
Richard Wheeler ◽  
Harold Brannon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Area ◽  
Fractured Reservoir ◽  
Unconventional Reservoir ◽  
Fracturing Fluid ◽  
Fluid System ◽  
Fracture Conductivity ◽  
Proppant Transport ◽  
Reservoir Conditions ◽  
Reservoir Potential ◽  
Fractured Surface

Abstract Post-treatment production analyses for hydraulic fracturing treatments with conventional crosslinked gel or slickwater often indicate that the treatments do not achieve the designed stimulation effectiveness, which could be attributed to non-optimal proppant placement and/or significantly damaged fracture conductivity. Although conventional crosslinked fluids are observed to provide good proppant suspension in laboratory environments, they might not provide the desired proppant transport under downhole conditions. Crosslinked fluids are known to be difficult to clean up, and thus are notorious for imparting gel damage to proppant pack and formation. Slickwater can be used to mitigate gel damage by reducing the effective polymer loadings, but consequential extreme proppant settling and banking problems reduce the chance of achieving fracture performance. Several proppant placement techniques have been developed to generate highly conductive paths for hydrocarbons to flow from an unconventional reservoir to the wellbore, such as hybrid fracturing, reverse hybrid fracturing, and channel fracturing, each of which predominantly rely upon high viscosity fluids to carry the proppant to the designated location. This paper presents a non-traditional fracturing fluid system and application technique with near perfect proppant suspension and transport, high fracture conductivity, and self-diverting characteristics. The revolutionary fracturing fluid system employs engineered packing of particle domains for proppant suspension mechanics that are significantly different from crosslinked polymer systems which use polymer chain overlap and inter-chain crosslinking to generate viscosity governed proppant transport. The unique gel particle structure perfectly suspends proppant for several hours at reservoir conditions to facilitate better transverse and vertical placement of proppant in the fracture and significantly increases the fractured surface area, which is one of most important factors in unconventional reservoir production. The self-diverting tendencies offer the potential to maximize created fracture area while simultaneously reducing the treating fluid volumes without the addition of costly diverting additives. The degradability of the fluid can be controlled at reservoir conditions by fluid pH and/or breaker loading to yield near 100% regained proppant pack conductivity. This paper discusses the evolution of the technology, and laboratory results for this unique fluid system. The system can unlock reservoir potential in areas requiring high fractured surface area and high regained conductivity, such as unconventional liquid-rich formations.

scholarly journals Performance Evaluation of Enzyme Breaker for Fracturing Applications under Simulated Reservoir Conditions

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 3133
Author(s):  
Yuling Meng ◽  
Fei Zhao ◽  
Xianwei Jin ◽  
Yun Feng ◽  
Gangzheng Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Shear Resistance ◽  
Ammonium Persulfate ◽  
Fracturing Fluid ◽  
Medium Temperature ◽  
Fracture Conductivity ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Reservoir Conditions ◽  
Alkaline Conditions ◽  
Resistance Performance

Fracturing fluids are being increasingly used for viscosity development and proppant transport during hydraulic fracturing operations. Furthermore, the breaker is an important additive in fracturing fluid to extensively degrade the polymer mass after fracturing operations, thereby maximizing fracture conductivity and minimizing residual damaging materials. In this study, the efficacy of different enzyme breakers was examined in alkaline and medium-temperature reservoirs. The parameters considered were the effect of the breaker on shear resistance performance and sand-suspending performance of the fracturing fluid, its damage to the reservoir after gel breaking, and its gel-breaking efficiency. The experimental results verified that mannanase II is an enzyme breaker with excellent gel-breaking performance at medium temperatures and alkaline conditions. In addition, mannanase II did not adversely affect the shear resistance performance and sand-suspending performance of the fracturing fluid during hydraulic fracturing. For the same gel-breaking result, the concentration of mannanase II used was only one fifth of other enzyme breakers (e.g., mannanase I, galactosidase, and amylase). Moreover, the amount of residue and the particle size of the residues generated were also significantly lower than those of the ammonium persulfate breaker. Finally, we also examined the viscosity-reducing capability of mannanase II under a wide range of temperatures (104–158 °F) and pH values (7–8.5) to recommend its best-use concentrations under different fracturing conditions. The mannanase has potential for applications in low-permeability oilfield development and to maximize long-term productivity from unconventional oilwells.

scholarly journals Research on Property of Multicomponent Thickening Water Fracturing Fluid and Application in Low Permeability Oil Reservoirs

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chengli Zhang ◽  
Peng Wang ◽  
Guoliang Song
Keyword(s):  
Guar Gum ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Oil Field ◽  
Ammonium Bromide ◽  
Low Permeability ◽  
Fracturing Fluid ◽  
Fluid System ◽  
Fracture Conductivity ◽  
Hydroxypropyl Guar ◽  
Actual Production

The clean fracturing fluid, thickening water, is a new technology product, which promotes the advantages of clean fracturing fluid to the greatest extent and makes up for the deficiency of clean fracturing fluid. And it is a supplement to the low permeability reservoir in fracturing research. In this paper, the study on property evaluation for the new multicomponent and recoverable thickening fracturing fluid system (2.2% octadecyl methyl dihydroxyethyl ammonium bromide (OHDAB) +1.4% dodecyl sulfonate sodium +1.8% potassium chloride and 1.6% organic acids) and guar gum fracturing fluid system (hydroxypropyl guar gum (HGG)) was done in these experiments. The proppant concentration (sand/liquid ratio) at static suspended sand is up to 30% when the apparent viscosity of thickening water is 60 mPa·s, which is equivalent to the sand-carrying capacity of guar gum at 120 mPa·s. When the dynamic sand ratio is 40%, the fracturing fluid is not layered, and the gel breaking property is excellent. Continuous shear at room temperature for 60 min showed almost no change in viscosity. The thickening fracturing fluid system has good temperature resistance performance in medium and low temperature formations. The fracture conductivity of thickening water is between 50.6 μm2·cm and 150.4 μm2·cm, and the fracture conductivity damage rate of thickening water is between 8.9% and 17.9%. The fracture conductivity conservation rate of thickening water is more than 80% closing up of fractures, which are superior to the guar gum fracturing fluid system. The new wells have been fractured by thickening water in A block of YC low permeability oil field. It shows that the new type thickening water fracturing system is suitable for A block and can be used in actual production. The actual production of A block shows that the damage of thickening fracturing fluid is low, and the long retention in reservoir will not cause great damage to reservoir.

Fracture Conductivity Comparison of Ceramic Proppants

1985 ◽  
Vol 25 (02) ◽  
pp. 157-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.A. Cutler ◽  
D.O. Enniss ◽  
A.H. Jones ◽  
S.R. Swanson
Keyword(s):  
Specific Gravity ◽  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Settling Velocity ◽  
Fracturing Fluid ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Pumping Rate ◽  
Fracture Conductivity ◽  
Proppant Transport ◽  
Closure Stress ◽  
Economic Analyses

Abstract Lightweight, intermediate-strength proppants have been developed that are intermediate in cost between sand and bauxite. A wide variety of proppant materials is characterized and compared in a laboratory fracture conductivity study. Consistent sample preparation, test, and data reduction procedures were practiced, which allow a relative comparison of the conductivity of various proppants at intermediate and high stresses. Specific gravity, proppants at intermediate and high stresses. Specific gravity, corrosion resistance, and crush resistance of each proppant also were determined. proppant also were determined. Fracture conductivity was measured to a laminar flow of deaerated, deionized water over a closure stress range of 6.9 to 96.5 MPa [1,000 to 14,000 psi] in 6.9-MPa [1,000-psi] increments. Testing was performed at a constant 50 degrees C [122 degrees F] temperature. Results of the testing are compared with values from the literature and analyzed to determine proppant acceptability in the intermediate and high closure stress regions. Fracture strengths for porous and solid proppants agree well with calculated values. Several oxide ceramics were found to have acceptable conductivity at closure stresses to 96.5 MPa [14,000 psi]. Resin-coated proppants have lower conductivities than uncoated, intermediate-strength oxide proppants when similar size distributions are tested. Recommendations are made for obtaining valid conductivity data for use in proppant selection and economic analyses. proppant selection and economic analyses. Introduction Massive hydraulic fracturing (MHF) is used to increase the productivity of gas wells in low-permeability reservoirs by creating deeply penetrating fractures in the producing formation surrounding the well. Traditionally, producing formation surrounding the well. Traditionally, high-purity silica sand has been pumped into the created fracture to prop it open and maintain gas permeability after completing the stimulation. The relatively low cost, abundance, sphericity, and low specific gravity of high-quality sands (e.g., Jordan, St. Peters, and Brady formation silica sands) have made sand a good proppant for most hydraulic fracturing treatments. The closure stress on the proppants increases with depth, and even for selected high-quality sands the fracture conductivity has been found to deteriorate rapidly when closure stresses exceed approximately 48 MPa [7,000 psi]. Several higher-strength proppants have been developed to withstand the increased closure stress of deeper wells. Sintered bauxite, fused zirconia, and resin-coated sands have been the most successful higher-strength proppants introduced. These proppants have improved proppants introduced. These proppants have improved crush resistance and have been used successfully in MHF treatments. The higher cost of these materials as compared to sand has been the largest single factor inhibiting their widespread use. The higher specific gravity of bauxite and zirconia proppants not only increases the volume cost differential compared to sand but also enhances proppant settling. Lower-specific-gravity proppants not only are more cost effective but also have the potential to improve proppant transport. Novotny showed the effect of proppant diameter on settling velocity in non-Newtonian fluids and concluded that proppant settling may determine the success or failure of a hydraulic fracturing treatment. By using the same proppant settling equation as Novotny, the settling velocity of 20/40 mesh proppants is calculated for four different specific gravities and shown as a function of fluid shear rate in Fig. 1. The specific gravity of bauxite is 3.65 and sand is 2.65; therefore, bauxite is 37.7 % more dense than sand. The settling velocity for bauxite, as shown in Fig. 1, however, is approximately 65 % higher than sand. Work on proppants with specific gravities lower than bauxite was initiated to improve the transport characteristics of the proppant during placement. It has been demonstrated that vertical propagation of the fracture can be limited by reducing the fracturing fluid pressure. The viscosity range of existing fracturing pressure. The viscosity range of existing fracturing fluids makes minimizing fluid viscosity a much more effective method of controlling pressure than lowering the pumping rate. A potential advantage of decreasing the pumping rate. A potential advantage of decreasing the specific gravity of the proppant is that identical proppant transport to that currently achievable can take place in lower-viscosity fluids. (Alternatively, higher volumes of proppant can be pumped in a given amount of a proppant can be pumped in a given amount of a high-viscosity fracturing fluid.) Not only are low-viscosity fluids capable of allowing better fracture control, they are also less expensive. More importantly, it recently was shown that the conductivity of a created hydraulic fracture in the Wamsutter area is about one-tenth of that predicted by laboratory conductivity tests. P. 157

Revolutionary Particle Fluid System Unlocks the Fractured Reservoir Potential

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia Zhou ◽  
Paul Scott Carman ◽  
Hong Sun ◽  
Richard S Wheeler ◽  
Harold Dean Brannon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fractured Reservoir ◽  
Fluid System ◽  
Reservoir Potential

A High Density Fracturing Fluid System for HPHT Reservoir Stimulation Treatment

2013 ◽  
Vol 680 ◽  
pp. 312-314
Author(s):  
Ping Li Liu ◽  
Qi Zhu ◽  
Xi Jin Xing
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Temperature Stability ◽  
High Density ◽  
Fracturing Fluid ◽  
Fluid System ◽  
Shear Properties ◽  
Proppant Transport ◽  
Reservoir Stimulation ◽  
Fracturing Fluids

Petroleum industry is focusing on HPHT reservoir. In high-temperature conditions, fracturing fluids especially need to be stable and induce minimum damage, and have good proppant transport capabilities. In order to overcome these problems, a novel high density fracturing fluid system has been developed whose density can reach up to 1.21 g/cm3. This paper summarizes a study on formulating weighted agent, and extensive studies were also conducted to determine temperature stability and anti-shear properties and compatibility with additives.

scholarly journals Laboratory Testing of Fracture Conductivity Damage by Foam-Based Fracturing Fluids in Low Permeability Tight Gas Formations

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1783
Author(s):  
Klaudia Wilk-Zajdel ◽  
Piotr Kasza ◽  
Mateusz Masłowski
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Guar Gum ◽  
Polymer Concentration ◽  
Laboratory Research ◽  
Damage Effect ◽  
Tight Gas ◽  
Fracturing Fluid ◽  
Fracture Conductivity ◽  
Fracturing Fluids ◽  
Sandstone Rock

In the case of fracturing of the reservoirs using fracturing fluids, the size of damage to the proppant conductivity caused by treatment fluids is significant, which greatly influence the effective execution of hydraulic fracturing operations. The fracturing fluid should be characterized by the minimum damage to the conductivity of a fracture filled with proppant. A laboratory research procedure has been developed to study the damage effect caused by foamed and non-foamed fracturing fluids in the fractures filled with proppant material. The paper discusses the results for high quality foamed guar-based linear gels, which is an innovative aspect of the work compared to the non-foamed frac described in most of the studies and simulations. The tests were performed for the fracturing fluid based on a linear polymer (HPG—hydroxypropyl guar, in liquid and powder form). The rheology of nitrogen foamed-based fracturing fluids (FF) with a quality of 70% was investigated. The quartz sand and ceramic light proppant LCP proppant was placed between two Ohio sandstone rock slabs and subjected to a given compressive stress of 4000–6000 psi, at a temperature of 60 °C for 5 h. A significant reduction in damage to the quartz proppant was observed for the foamed fluid compared to that damaged by the 7.5 L/m3 natural polymer-based non-foamed linear fluid. The damage was 72.3% for the non-foamed fluid and 31.5% for the 70% foamed fluid, which are superior to the guar gum non-foamed fracturing fluid system. For tests based on a polymer concentration of 4.88 g/L, the damage to the fracture conductivity by the non-foamed fluid was 64.8%, and 26.3% for the foamed fluid. These results lead to the conclusion that foamed fluids could damage the fracture filled with proppant much less during hydraulic fracturing treatment. At the same time, when using foamed fluids, the viscosity coefficient increases a few times compared to the use of non-foamed fluids, which is necessary for proppant carrying capacities and properly conducted stimulation treatment. The research results can be beneficial for optimizing the type and performance of fracturing fluid for hydraulic fracturing in tight gas formations.

Performance of the reproducible polyvinyl alcohol fracturing fluid system

2015 ◽  
Vol 88 (11) ◽  
pp. 1884-1891 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siming Yan ◽  
Yongji Wang ◽  
Jia He ◽  
Hongdan Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Polyvinyl Alcohol ◽  
Fracturing Fluid ◽  
Fluid System
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