New Technology Improves Performance of Viscoelastic Surfactant Fluids

Abstract

For a number of years, viscoelastic surfactant (VES) fluids have been used for a variety of stimulation treatment applications, including hydraulic fracturing, acid diverting, and gravelpacking. VES fluid systems typically offer higher-retained permeability and conductivity of the formation sand and proppant pack than polymeric systems. However, preliminary cost, a 200°F temperature limit, excessive leakoff, and no internal breaker mechanism for dry gas applications have limited VES use.New VES fluid technology has been developed that substantially improves product performance and cost effectiveness. The temperature range has been extended to 300°F by using newly developed VES stabilizer technology. The system works with high-density brines up to 14.4 ppg. Internal breakers have been developed that permit a controlled viscosity break from ambient to 300°F. Laboratory tests have determined that an internally broken fluid rapidly achieves >90% returned permeability and conductivity of the formation sand and proppant pack without the presence or need for contacting hydrocarbons. Fluid loss-control technology has been developed that reduces VES fluid leakoff similar to wallbuilding fluids, but without filtercake damage.This paper discusses the development of the new VES system chemistry and its properties. The paper also addresses the merits of a viscous fluid that can work in a variety of base fluids for highpressure applications, such as managing surface-treating pressure or for gas-hydrate inhibition in deep gas or deepwater environments. Breaker technology discussion addresses the ability to ensure and enhance VES fluid-viscosity breaking. Fluid loss-control technology effective to at least 2,000 millidarcies (mD) is presented. This paper also presents rheological, return permeability and conductivity, fluid loss control, treating pressure, and financial results.

Performance and application of new anionic D3F-AS05 viscoelastic fracturing fluid

“…Many advancements have been presented in the literature to improve the quality of VES fracturing fluid; numerous chemistry advancements have been implemented for low-and high-temperature environments, as well as for acidizing and completion-fluids applications as set out by Crews et al (2008), Daren et al (2008), Hall and Larkin (1989),and Hisham et al (2003). Additionally, VES fluids have been used as viscous diverting agents in matrix acidizing as set out by Chang et al (1998) and Chang et al (2001).…”

Recent Advances in Viscoelastic Surfactants for Improved Production From Hydrocarbon Reservoirs

“…amidopropyl betaine, and alkylimino mono-or dipropionates derived from waxes, fats, or oils (Dahanayake et al 2001(Dahanayake et al , 2002(Dahanayake et al , 2004. The surfactant is combined with either an inorganic salt or an organic compound such as phthalic acid, salicylic acid, or their salts.…”

The effects of temperature on surfactant solution: A molecules dynamics simulation

“…Since oilfield engineers of Mitchell Energy & Development Corporation first applied a polymer-free water-based fracturing fluid to the shale gas fracturing operation of Barnett and achieved good results in 1997 [1][2][3] , the viscoelastic surfactant based fracturing fluid (VES) has become one possible replacement of guar and polymer in the fracturing fluid systems for the advantages of gel to be broken easily, simple operation, no need for crosslinker and biocides [4][5][6][7][8][9] . The VES frequently consist of viscoelastic surfactants [10][11] .…”