Relation between chemistry and flow mechanics of borate-crosslinked fracturing fluids

Journal Article · Sun Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · SPE Production and Facilities (Society of Petroleum Engineers); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/25206-PA· OSTI ID:6125860

Kruijf, A.S. de; Roodhart, L P; Davies, D R

Borate-crosslinked guar or hydroxypropyl guar (HPG) polymer solutions have become increasingly popular as hydraulic fracturing fluids. These fluids are cheap and environmentally friendly, and they minimally impair a propped fracture while yielding maximum viscosity. The drawbacks, which have limited their use, are a restricted temperature range of applicability, relatively high tubing friction, and poor stability when prepared with seawater. This paper shows how these drawbacks can be eliminated by a fundamental understanding of the relation between fluid chemistry (as a function of borate crosslinker, pH, and polymer/crosslinker concentration) and its physical properties (proppant-carrying capacity, viscoelasticity, and the temperature stability of the resulting crosslinked structure).

• OSTI ID: 6125860
• Journal Information: SPE Production and Facilities (Society of Petroleum Engineers); (United States), Journal Name: SPE Production and Facilities (Society of Petroleum Engineers); (United States) Vol. 8:3; ISSN 1064-668X; ISSN SPRFEZ
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
03 NATURAL GAS
030300 -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
BORATES
BORON COMPOUNDS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLOW MODELS
FLUID MECHANICS
FLUIDS
FRACTURING
FRACTURING FLUIDS
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MECHANICS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PROPPING AGENTS
ROCK-FLUID INTERACTIONS
STIMULATION
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS