Effect of Silica Nanoparticles on Polymer Adsorption Reduction on Marcellus Shale

Abstract

Polymers play a major role in developing rheology of fracturing fluids for multistage hydraulic fracturing horizontal wells in unconventional reservoirs. Reducing the amount of polymer adsorbed in the shale formation is essential to maintain the polymer efficiency. In this study, the ability of silica nanoparticles to minimize polymer adsorption in Marcellus shale formation at reservoir temperature was investigated. Partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide polymers of varying molecular weights (1–12 MD), salinities (2500–50,000 ppm), polymer concentrations (100–2000 ppm), and silica nanoparticle concentrations (0.01–0.1 w/w) were used in the static adsorption experiments. Adsorption of the polymer in the Marcellus shale samples was contrasted with and without the silica nanoparticles at a Marcellus formation reservoir temperature of 65 °C, showing a significant polymer adsorption reduction of up to 50%. The adsorption and adsorption reduction were more sensitive to the variation of the polymer concentration than to the variation of the salinity within the tested conditions. The highest adsorptions were reported at the higher molecular weight of 10–12 MD. In addition, silica nanoparticles significantly improved polymer rheology at elevated temperatures. The results indicate that nanoparticles can play a significant role in reducing polymer adsorption in the fracturing fluid and improve its rheological properties and its efficiency, which will reduce the number of issues caused by the polymers in the fracturing fluid and making it more cost effective.

A Perspective Review on the Current Status and Development of Polymer Flooding in Enhanced Oil Recovery Using Polymeric Nanofluids

“…Polymer adsorption in porous media. Reproduced with permission from ref . Copyright 2022 American Chemical Society.…”

“…Effect of the silica nanoparticle concentrations and molecular weight of polymers on the reduction of adsorption. Adapted from ref . Copyright 2022 American Chemical Society.…”

“…Therefore, molecular weight is also essential in reducing polymer adsorption over the rock surface. According to Al-Hajri et al the adsorption level of HPAM is much higher on calcium carbonate because of interaction between the carboxylate group of HPAM and the carbonate surface where Ca 2+ ions are present.…”

Perspective Review of Polymers as Additives in Water-Based Fracturing Fluids

“…Nanofluid-based polymers in fracturing fluids are also currently being researched, which will reduce the polymer adsorption, formation damage, and increase the oil mobility. 61 2.3.6.1. Polymer Adsorption in Slick-Water Fracturing Fluid Systems.…”

“…Reduction of polymer adsorption around the fracture faces in the formation is also an area of further research, which is in progress. Nanofluid-based polymers in fracturing fluids are also currently being researched, which will reduce the polymer adsorption, formation damage, and increase the oil mobility …”