Successful Application of Metal-Crosslinked Fracturing Fluid with Low-Polymer Loading for High Temperature Proppant Fracturing Treatments in Saudi Arabian Gas Fields — Laboratory and Field Study

Malik, Ataur R.; Bolarinwa, Simeon; Leal, Jairo; Duarte, Jorge; Vielma, Jose R.; Soriano, Eduardo

doi:10.2118/164338-ms

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…When integrated into the fracturing gel for deployment, they can provide ideal pre-emptivesqueeze treatment on fractures against scale deposition. A few successful case histories have been reported recently (Lebas et al 2013;Marquez et al 2011;Norris et al 2001;Bolarinwa et al 2013). The incompatibility issues become much more challenging for stimulation treatments using metallic crosslinking fluids.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Liquid Scale Inhibitors for Metallic-Crosslinked Gel Fracturing Systems

Yue

Lang

et al. 2014

SPE International Oilfield Scale Conference and Exhibition

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Scale inhibitors are important additives in fracturing fluids to help prevent mineral scale depositions during hydraulic fracturing, shut-in, and flowback stages. The inhibition mechanisms rely heavily on the interactions of certain functional groups from the inhibitor molecules and the lattice metals on the scale crystal surface. In stimulation using crosslinked gel fluids based on metallic crosslinkers, such as zirconium (Zr), titanium (Ti), or aluminum (Al), these metals form strong covalent bonds with guar and guar derivatives and therefore significantly increase overall gel stability. When anionic liquid scale inhibitors are present, the crosslinker metals are susceptible to attack from scale inhibitors because of similar interactions, often resulting in lower viscosity and compromised fluid performance. For this reason, liquid scale inhibitors are usually pumped in prepads during many fracturing treatments. During these treatments, fracturing fluids from other stages and reservoirs that contact these fluids are not protected from scale deposition. Although this incompatibility issue is an important factor in designing fracturing fluid systems, the authors have not found sufficient prior literature providing valid solutions other than applications of time-released solid scale inhibitors.This paper investigates the interferences of various types of liquid scale inhibitors on Zr-based crosslinkers. Their chemical compatibilities are evaluated in terms of crosslinked viscosity stability and scale inhibition efficiencies. Data presented in this paper indicate that two polymer-based liquid scale inhibitors can be added to selected Zr-crosslinked fluids with minimal impact on crosslinking performance. Scale inhibition efficiency can be maintained by adjusting the pumping flow rate to compensate for the effect of Zr-based crosslinkers.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Liquid Scale Inhibitors for Metallic-Crosslinked Gel Fracturing Systems

Yue

Lang

et al. 2014

SPE International Oilfield Scale Conference and Exhibition

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“…Normally, water-based fracturing fluids used for these sandstone formations require 6% KCl as a temporary clay-control mechanism because of its mineralogy, which contains a significant presence of swellable and migrating clays (Nasr-El-Din et al, 1998;Thomas et al, 2002). Normally, water-based fracturing fluids used for these sandstone formations require 6% KCl as a temporary clay-control mechanism because of its mineralogy, which contains a significant presence of swellable and migrating clays (Nasr-El-Din et al, 1998;Thomas et al, 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Novel and Cost-Effective Clay Control Approach in Water-Sensitive Sandstone Gas Reservoir of Saudi Arabia During Proppant Fracturing Treatment

et al. 2013

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Clay swelling, dispersion and migration due to water-sensitive clay minerals in the producing formation can substantially reduce rock and retained proppant permeability resulting in reduced well productivity. The effects of water-based fracturing fluids in water-sensitive formations have been extensively investigated which led to development of different types of clay stabilizers based on type of clays, bottomhole temperature, and clay protection time. The use of KCl or NaCl brine up to concentration of 6% is well known clay stabilizing method for swellable and migratory clays during the stimulation treatment.However, using high salt content brines have some limitations and constrains. The performance of crosslinkers (Borate or Zirconium) and breakers are often affected when using high salt concentration in the base fracturing fluids. The sandstone formations of Saudi Arabia have been reported to be "water-sensitive" and can be easily damaged by fresh water. A novel clay stabilization liquid additive has been successfully introduced as a substitute to inorganic salts in fracturing fluids for sandstone formation in Saudi Arabia. This new permanent clay control additive is cationic polymer with ultra-low molecular weight (PC-4) and compatible with borate and zirconium crosslinkers. It also reduces safety concerns and operational time by eliminating handling and mixing of huge amount of salts on location.This paper provides details on lab testing, and field implementation of the novel cost effective clay control additive in HTHP sandstone gas well during proppant fracture treatment.

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Improving Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids Through Dual Polymer Technology

Almubarak

Sokhanvarian³

et al. 2018

SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition

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As exploration for oil and gas continues, it becomes necessary to produce from formations that are deeper, have low permeability, and higher temperature. Conventionally, guar and its derivatives have been successfully utilized as hydraulic fracturing fluids. However, they require higher polymer loading to withstand the high-temperature environments. This leads to an increase in mixing time and additive requirements. Most importantly, they do not break completely and generate residual polymer fragments that can plug the formation and reduce fracture conductivity significantly. In this work, a new hybrid dual polymer hydraulic fracturing fluid is developed for high-temperature applications. The fluid consists of a guar derivative and a polyacrylamide-based synthetic polymer. Compared to conventional fracturing fluids, this new system is easily hydrated, requires fewer additives, can be mixed on the fly, and is capable of maintaining excellent rheological performance at low polymer loadings. The polymer mixture solutions were prepared at concentrations ranging from 20 to 40 lb/1,000 gal at a ratio of 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2. The fluids were crosslinked with a metallic crosslinker and broken with an oxidizer at 300-350°F. Testing focused on crosslinker to polymer ratio analysis to effectively lower loading while maintaining sufficient performance to carry proppant at these harsh conditions. HP/HT rheometer was used to measure viscosity and elastic modulus. HP/HT see-through cell was utilized for proppant settling. Results indicate that the dual polymer fracturing fluid is able to generate stable viscosity at 300-350°F and 100 s−1. Results show that the dual polymer fluid can generate higher viscosity compared to the individual single polymer system. Also, properly understanding and tuning the crosslinker to polymer ratio generates excellent performance even at 20 lb/1,000 gal. The two polymers form a shared crosslinking network that improves proppant carrying capacity at lower polymer loadings and high temperatures. It also demonstrates a clean and controlled break performance with an oxidizer. The major benefit of using a mixed polymer system is to reduce polymer loading at harsher conditions. Lower loading is highly desirable because it reduces material cost, eases field operation and lowers damage to the fracture face, proppant pack and formation.

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Successful Application of Metal-Crosslinked Fracturing Fluid with Low-Polymer Loading for High Temperature Proppant Fracturing Treatments in Saudi Arabian Gas Fields — Laboratory and Field Study

Cited by 6 publications

References 9 publications

Liquid Scale Inhibitors for Metallic-Crosslinked Gel Fracturing Systems

Liquid Scale Inhibitors for Metallic-Crosslinked Gel Fracturing Systems

A Novel and Cost-Effective Clay Control Approach in Water-Sensitive Sandstone Gas Reservoir of Saudi Arabia During Proppant Fracturing Treatment

Improving Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids Through Dual Polymer Technology

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