Fracturing Fluid Characterization Facility

Abstract

Aggressive efforts were also made to effectively transfer the past research results to the industry Abstract (limit 200 words)Hydraulic fracturing technology has been successfully applied for well stimulation of low and high permeability reservoirs for numerous years. Treatment optimization and improved economics have always been the key to the success and it is more so when the reservoirs under consideration are marginal. Fluids are widely used for the stimulation of wells. The Fracturing Fluid Characterization Facility (FFCF) has been established to provide the accurate prediction of the behavior of complex fracturing fluids under downhole conditions. The primary focus of the facility is to provide valuable insight into the various mechanisms that govern the flow of fracturing fluids and slurries through hydraulically created fractures.During the time between September 30, 1992, and March 31, 2000, the research efforts were devoted to the areas of fluid rheology, proppant transport, proppant flowback, dynamic fluid loss, perforation pressure losses, and frictional pressure losses. In this regard, a unique above-the-ground fracture simulator was designed and constructed at the FFCF, labeled "The High Pressure Simulator" (HPS).The FFCF is now available to industry for characterizing and understanding the behavior of complex fluid systems. To better reflect and encompass the broad spectrum of the petroleum industry, the FFCF now operates under a new name of "The Well Construction Technology Center" (WCTC).This report documents the summary of the activities performed during 1992 -2000 at the FFCF Document Analysis a. DescriptionOil and Gas Industry, Natural Gas Production, Hydraulic iii DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY DISCLAIMERThis report was prepared by The University of Oklahoma (OU) as an account of work sponsored, in part, by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) , Financial Assistance Award DE-FC21-92MC29077. Such support does not constitute an endorsement by DOE of the information contained in this report. UNIVERSITY OF OKLHAOMA DISCLAIMER "LEGAL NOTICE"This report was prepared by The University of Oklahoma as an account of work sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Neither DOE members of DOE, The Board of Regents of The University of Oklahoma, nor any person acting on behalf of the aforementioned; (a) makes any warranty or representation, express or implied, with respect to the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information contained in this report, or that the use of any information, apparatus, method, or process disclosed in this report may not infringe privately owned rights; or, (b) assumes any liability with respect to the use of, or for damages resulting form the use of any information, apparatus, method, or process disclosed in this report.iv During the contract period, based on consultation received from the Project Advisory Group (PAG) and the Technical Advisory Group (TAG), DOE/GRI periodically modified the statement of work to steer the project toward its goals and objectives....