Fluid-loss control for high-permeability rocks in hydraulic fracturing under realistic shear conditions

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:372353

Navarrete, R C; Mitchell, J P

A study is presented on the effectiveness of different combinations of fluid and fluid-loss additives to control fluid loss in high-permeability formations under high shear rates. The impact on matrix damage and proppant-pack damage is also studied. Borate-crosslinked guars, hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) and a surfactant water-base gravel packing fluid were investigated. The fluid-loss additive considered was silica flour. All fluid-loss tests were run in dynamic fluid-loss cells. To properly test high-permeability cores, new long core dynamic fluid-loss cells were used. The matrix damage caused by the invasion of the fluid was determined using pressure taps along the core. Conductivity tests were also run to determine the damage to the proppant pack. Results show that the effectiveness of particulate fluid-loss additives under dynamic conditions is strongly dependent on the initial leakoff rate, which depends on the pressure gradient across the core, permeability of the core and viscosity of the invading fluid. The use of silica flour helps matrix flowback, and it has a minimal effect on proppant-pack conductivity in clean fluids (e.g., surfactant water-base gravel packing fluid). With the exception of the borate-crosslinked guar with no fluid-loss additive, the variety of fluids used in these tests (with and without silica flour) have a negligible effect on postproduction.

• OSTI ID: 372353
• Report Number(s): CONF-950433--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
03 NATURAL GAS
ADDITIVES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FORMATION DAMAGE
FRACTURING FLUIDS
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
LOST CIRCULATION
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
PLUGGING AGENTS
ROCK-FLUID INTERACTIONS
WELL STIMULATION