Dry-Polymer Blending Eliminates Need for Hydrocarbon Carrier Fluids

Weinstein, Jeremy M.; Phillipi, Max; Walters, Harold G.

doi:10.2118/121002-ms

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 7 publications

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“…Engineering advances have been made to remove or reduce the reliance on chemicals altogether. The development of a computerized drypolymer hydration unit eliminated the need for millions of gallons of carrier fluids and associated surfactants that have been used to make liquid gel concentrates (Weinstein et al 2009). Other efforts have been made to use chemical-free technologies to help reduce or eliminate the need for chemical biocides in treating water used in fracturing (Gloe et al 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmentally Focused Crosslinked-Gel System Results in High Retained Proppant-Pack Conductivity

et al. 2011

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This paper presents the retained conductivity results of a new environmentally focused fracturing fluid whose components are sourced from the food industry, as described in the US Code of Federal Regulations Title 21 (CFR 21) or the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) affirmation process. The fluid is comprised of the following components: a low-residue polysaccharide gelling agent, a metal crosslinker, a surfactant, and a suite of breakers. The suite of breakers provides consistent fluid cleanup in retained conductivity testing in temperatures ranging from 120 to 200°F. Fracture conductivity testing was performed using a wet-gas cleanup protocol used in modeling hydraulically fractured wells.Hydraulic fracturing and the environmental effects of the chemicals involved in the fracturing process have become the subjects of public discussion. This discussion has encouraged the petroleum industry to address public concern regarding the potential environmental impact of chemicals used in fracturing. Service companies have responded by improving their current chemical portfolio and developing new environmentally focused chemical technologies. This paper describes an environmentally focused metal-crosslinked polysaccharide fluid that not only is more environmentally acceptable under the criteria described in this work, but also has little or no proppant-pack conductivity impairment, as measured by fracture conductivity testing.Wet-gas retained conductivity of 1-lbm/ft 2 20/40-mesh Ottawa sand was performed with humidified nitrogen gas flow. Retained conductivity of 84 to 100% was obtained after wet-gas cleanup for temperatures ranging from 120 to 200°F under a 2,000-psi closure stress. All conductivity tests were performed between Ohio sandstone wafers with filter-cake buildup from dynamic fluid-loss testing. Wet-gas retained conductivity was verified by a third-party laboratory. These results indicate that a fracturing fluid can be designed using defined environmental criteria based on food grade materials to provide similar performance and excellent retained conductivity.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmentally Focused Crosslinked-Gel System Results in High Retained Proppant-Pack Conductivity

et al. 2011

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Water Conservation: Reducing Freshwater Consumption by Using Produced Water for Base Fluid in Hydraulic Fracturing–Case Histories in Argentina

Bonapace

Giglio²,

Moggia³

et al. 2012

SPE Latin America and Caribbean Petroleum Engineering Conference

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In the Golfo San Jorge basin (GSJB), in the area of Cerro Dragón, a sustained increase of activity has developed over the past ten years. Further development of the field has been achieved with well stimulations (hydraulic-fracturing treatments), increasing production rates. This has resulted in increased water consumption for these operations. In an effort to ration water sources, well owners must find alternatives to reduce the volume of fresh water consumed. Throughout the past five years, one operator has worked to use produced water, or low-quality injection water, as a source of water for stimulation applications. The methodology applied consisted of Identifying different types of water produced in the fieldPerforming tests on the waters (physical-chemical and bacteriological)Performing tests with commonly used fracturing fluids to identify good performanceConducting tests during field operationsEstablishing procedures for water injection from the results obtainedContinuous monitoring, as well as the introduction of new techniques and improvements The results that were obtained demonstrate how the operations performed have gradually increased by using this methodology (412 of 760 fracturing treatments during 2010). In addition, the reduction in freshwater use was 54.8% of the total amount in 2010 (5.7 of 10.5 million gal). This work has helped identify sources of produced water in the field that are acceptable for use in fracturing stimulation operations. A procedure has been established to help ensure a reliable fracturing fluid with good performance is always used in these operations. Additionally, new techniques and equipment have been incorporated that contribute to continuous improvements to the process.

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An Environmental Solution to Help Reduce Freshwater Demands and Minimize Chemical Use

Bryant

Haggstrom

2012

All Days

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New technologies to reduce chemical exposure to personnel and the environment during fracturing operations are at the forefront of research and development efforts. Unconventional reservoir developments require large amounts of fresh water, sometimes up to 5 million gal to complete a well, leading to difficulty in water sourcing in remote locations or regions where droughts are persistent. Several new areas currently under consideration for shale exploration are in environmentally sensitive locations, making the water sourcing for fracturing operations even more critical. Freshwater use needs to be minimized, and a careful examination of current practices should be undertaken to reduce, eliminate, and recycle chemicals wherever possible. Furthermore, fracturing fluids essential for successful stimulation treatment should be comprised of chemicals adhering to environmentally acceptable standards. Recent developments have allowed one operator to minimize freshwater usage through recycling of their flowback and produced water using electrocoagulation (EC) technology. EC is a water-treatment process that removes colloidal solids through methods of coagulation, electroflotation, and settling. Unlike conventional water-treatment practices, such as reverse osmosis or distillation, EC generates relatively small quantities of waste, while leaving dissolved solids in the water. To ensure enough water was available for fracturing stimulation treatment, fresh make-up water was also used. This freshwater source was treated for bacteria using an ultraviolet (UV) trailer, which minimized the need for biocide on location. In addition, dry-blending technology was used to hydrate the gel without the aid of mineral oils. All of these processes were used to reduce the environmental impact on location. With increasing public scrutiny and concern over the practice of hydraulic fracturing in environmentally sensitive locations, fluid systems need to follow strict environmental guidelines. A new fluid system was developed with components from the US Code of Federal Regulations Title 21 (CFR 21), or the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) affirmation process. While setting a high precedence by adhering to this environmental benchmark, the fluid performance was not compromised.

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Dry-Polymer Blending Eliminates Need for Hydrocarbon Carrier Fluids

Cited by 5 publications

References 7 publications

Environmentally Focused Crosslinked-Gel System Results in High Retained Proppant-Pack Conductivity

Environmentally Focused Crosslinked-Gel System Results in High Retained Proppant-Pack Conductivity

Water Conservation: Reducing Freshwater Consumption by Using Produced Water for Base Fluid in Hydraulic Fracturing–Case Histories in Argentina

An Environmental Solution to Help Reduce Freshwater Demands and Minimize Chemical Use

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