Impact of Nitrogen Foamed Stimulation Fluids Stabilized by Nanoadditives on Reservoir Rocks of Hydrocarbon Deposits

Abstract

The first objective of this experiment was to improve the stabilization of N2 based foam with nanoparticles as an alternative to typical fracturing fluid, which consists of a gelling agent (HPG—hydroxypropyl guar). The second objective of the project was to investigate the damage caused by nanoparticle–based nitrogen foamed fracturing fluids (F.F) on a reference sandstone, using permeability and porosity tests, optical microscope with a Profilometer, and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The properties of F.F with two types of SiO2 nanoparticles (hydrophilic fumed silica Areosil 300 and silica sol U-2 obtained by the sol-gel method), such as rheology and core damage, were investigated. The discussion of this research results is based on the stability tests carried out with the use of rheology and the foam half-life, formation damage ratio, and observation of exposed samples using SEM and the Profilometer. The permeability and porosity damage ratios of the damaged core samples were found to decrease when nitrogen foamed fluids were used. These results were confirmed with the Profilometer and SEM images. The experimental data showed that the foam stability increased when silica (SiO2) nanoparticles were added. SiO2 nanoparticle-surfactant-stabilized foam for fracturing is superior to traditional water-based fracturing fluids and causes lower core permeability damage than a traditional F.F.

Hydraulic Fracturing in Enhanced Geothermal Systems—Field, Tectonic and Rock Mechanics Conditions—A Review

“…Nevertheless, the extensive experience was gained in hydraulic and chemical stimulation operations, based on fracturing in unconventional deposits and matrix acidizing [15,89]. Research works were also carried out in the field of the design, environmental impact and performance of energized fluids for fracturing [90]; the embedment phenomena [24,25]; and the dynamic elastic parameters of the various types of rocks [27,30]. Their results may be useful in the implementation of a prospective Polish HDR geothermal collector program.…”

Experimental and Simulation Studies of Energized Fracturing Fluid Efficiency in Tight Gas Formations

“…A fracturing fluid (prepared according to the description in Section 2.1) was introduced into the pipes of rheometer designed specifically to measure the rheological properties of foamed fluids under extended pressure and temperature conditions, and the fluid was stirred at a rate of 300 s −1 in the measurement system [7,36]. At the same time, the temperature and pressure were stabilized (6.89 MPa, T = 23 • C or T = 60 • C).…”

Synergistic Stabilization Mechanism of SiO2 Nanoparticles and Anionic Surfactants during Foam Fracturing

“…Qajar et al demonstrated that nanoparticles can generate stable foams under extreme water-shortage conditions; this can effectively reduce water consumption and present distinct advantages in hydraulic fracturing. Wilk et al increased the half-life of a foam fracturing fluid by replacing hydroxypropyl guar gum with nanoparticles and confirmed that the nanoparticle-stabilized foam fracturing fluid improved core permeability by evaluating the damage caused by the fracturing fluid to sandstone via microscopy morphology analysis. Verma et al established that addition of iron oxide nanoparticles to fracturing fluids can increase foam thermal stability by 52% and improve proppant suspending capacity and migration efficiency.…”