Study on gelation, temperature resistance and micromorphology of modified nano-ZrO2 crosslinked hydroxypropyl guar gum

Abstract

In order to improve the temperature and shear resistance of fracturing fluid, a kind of nano-zirconium-boron crosslinker, which is different from the traditional zicral-boron crosslinker, is prepared using 4wt% borax, 50 v/v% glycerol, 8 v/v% triethanolamine and 40 v/v % acetylacetone as raw materials, and its chemical structure is characterized of by infrared spectroscopy and its performance, such as viscoelasticity, temperature and shear resistance and gel breaking property, have also been evaluated. The results show that firstly the elastic modulus of the fracturing system is much larger than the viscous modulus at frequency of 0.1–10 Hz, indicating that the fluid is a typical structural fluid. Secondly the fracture fluid crosslinked by nano-zirconium-boron crosslinker is sheared at 180 °C, 170 s−1 for 2 h, and the viscosity is maintained above 60 mPa.s. Finally viscoelasticity, gel breaking property and damage evaluation also meet the requirements of national standard code for Chinese. Analysis of the temperature resistance mechanism of the HPG fracturing fluid crosslinked by nano-zirconium-boron crosslinker shows that its connecting lines are thicker and stronger to make the fracturing fluid have better temperature and shear resistance.