Nanomaterials and Technology Applications for Hydraulic Fracturing of Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs: A State-of-the-Art Review of Recent Advances and Perspectives

Abstract

The application of hydraulic fracturing stimulation technology to improve the productivity of unconventional oil and gas reservoirs is a well-established practice. With the increasing exploration and development of unconventional oil and gas resources, the associated geological conditions and physical properties are gradually becoming more and more complex. Therefore, it is necessary to develop technologies that can improve the development benefits to meet these challenges. In recent years, improving the effect of hydraulic fracturing stimulation in unconventional oil and gas reservoirs through the use of nanomaterials and technologies has attracted increasing attention. In this paper, we review the current status and research progress of the application of nanomaterials and technologies in various aspects of hydraulic fracturing in unconventional oil and gas reservoirs, expound the mechanism and advantages of these nanomaterials and technologies in detail, and provide future research directions. The reviewed literature indicates that nanomaterials and technologies show exciting potential applications in the hydraulic fracturing of unconventional reservoirs; for example, the sand-carrying and rheological properties of fracturing fluids can be significantly enhanced through the addition of nanomaterials. The use of nanomaterials to modify proppants can improve their compressive strength, thus meeting the needs of different reservoir conditions. The fracturing flowback fluid treatment efficiency and purification effect can be improved through the use of nanophotocatalysis and nanomembrane technologies, while degradable fracturing completion tools developed based on nanomaterials can effectively improve the efficiency of fracturing operations. Nanorobots and magnetic nanoparticles can be used to more efficiently monitor hydraulic fracturing and to accurately map the hydraulic fracture morphology. However, due to the complex preparation process and high cost of nanomaterials, more work is needed to fully investigate the application mechanisms of nanomaterials and technologies, as well as to evaluate the economic feasibility of these exciting technologies. The main research objective of this review is to comprehensively summarize the application and research progress of nanomaterials and technologies in various aspects of hydraulic fracturing in unconventional oil and gas reservoirs, analyze the existing problems and challenges, and propose some targeted forward-looking recommendations, which may be helpful for future research and applications.

Comparative Studies on Thickeners as Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids: Suspension versus Powder

“…This bridging action resulted in the formation of the complex macromolecule network, which improved the structure strength. In addition, the presence of hydrogen bonds between the thickener matrix and the nano-silica restricted the local movement of thickener chains, leading to a stronger spatial network [ 49 ]. As a result, these synergistic effects greatly enhanced the performance of the suspension diluent.…”

Feasible calcium carbonate polymorphs synthesis from natural corallines and their potential gelling role in hydraulic fracturing application

“…Most gels used in fracturing are composed of polymers such as guar gum and Xantham gum. These polymer-based gels have shortcomings such as high residual after breaking, and limited resistance to temperature variation [17]. In fracturing, fluids are pumped down to create fractures and to provide accessible transportation of proppant sand to maintain the open state of the fracture.…”

“…The incorporation of nanoparticles into polymer or gel-based fracturing fluids might improve the internal network structure of the fluid and its accompanying specifications such as rheology, temperature uptake, and stability [17].…”

Synergistic Effect of Carbon Nanotubes, Zinc, and Copper Oxides on Rheological Properties of Fracturing Fluid: A Comparative Study

“…Therefore, nanomaterials offer advantageous functionality by providing smaller-sized particles (typically 1-100 nm). With excellent advantages over non-nano-sized substances, a small amount of nanomaterials that have a larger surface area are needed to enhance reaction activity and improve the rheological properties of frac fluids [19,20].…”

“…Processes 2024, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 16 smaller-sized particles (typically 1-100 nm). With excellent advantages over non-nanosized substances, a small amount of nanomaterials that have a larger surface area are needed to enhance reaction activity and improve the rheological properties of frac fluids [19,20]. Two different approaches are mainly used to produce the nanomaterial: the topdown method, to synthesize nanomaterials from granular particles (bulk-material size) by reducing the size to nanoscale utilizing the physio/mechanical approaches such as bull milling, laser ablation, thermal evaporation, and sputtering; and the bottom-up method, to form the materials in the nanostructures from small atoms or molecules by employing chemical or biological techniques such as co-precipitation, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), sol-gel, and the hydrothermal method [21].…”