High efficiency fracturing fluids for high-temperature, low-permeability reservoirs

Conference · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5198198

Baumgartner, S A; Parker, C D; Williams, D A; Woodroof, R A

Reservoirs with permeabilities of less than 1 md and bottomhole temperatures in excess of 250/sup 0/F are commonly encountered in the continuing search for hydrocarbons. Successful completion of these wells often requires the use of Massive Hydraulic Fracturing (MHF) treatments. The fracturing fluids used in MHF treatments are frequently subjected to excessive shear and prolonged exposure at high bottomhole temperatures. Early fracturing fluids proved unsuitable for these MHF treatments due to a rapid loss of viscosity at high temperatures. As a result, narrow fracture widths, excessive fluid loss and poor proppant transport occurred. Cool-down pads, increased polymer concentrations and delayed polymer hydration systems were employed in an attempt to improve the MHF treatment success ratio. A laboratory study was undertaken to develop a more efficient high temperature fracturing fluid. Rotational and pipe viscometers were used to evaluate thermal and shear stabilities under reservoir conditions. Fluid loss testing measured the effectiveness of fluid leakoff control. Fluid breakout testing ensured a controlled loss of viscosity and minimal proppant pack gel residue. As a result of this study, a more efficient high temperature fracturing fluid was developed. This paper presents laboratory data comparing the thermal stability, shear stability and fluid loss control of the High Temperature Gel (HTG) with those of a conventional titanate crosslinked gel. Field case histories are presented to demonstrate the efficiency with which the HTG system has been used to successfully stimulate low permeability gas wells with bottomhole temperatures in excess of 250/sup 0/F.

• Research Organization: The Westren Co. of North America
• OSTI ID: 5198198
• Report Number(s): CONF-830305-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Journal Volume: SPE/DOE11615
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
030900* -- Natural Gas-- Artificial Stimulation
Plowshare-- (-1989)
BENCH-SCALE EXPERIMENTS
COLLOIDS
COMMINUTION
DATA
DISPERSIONS
EFFICIENCY
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FLUID FLOW
FLUIDS
FRACTURING
FRACTURING FLUIDS
GELS
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
HYDROCARBONS
INFORMATION
MEDIUM TEMPERATURE
NATURAL GAS WELLS
NUMERICAL DATA
OPTIMIZATION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PERMEABILITY
PROPPING AGENTS
SHEAR
STABILITY
STIMULATION
SURFACE WATERS
VISCOUS FLOW
WATER RESERVOIRS
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS