Use of a Solids-free Viscous Carrying Fluid in Fracturing Applications: An Economic and Productivity Comparison in Shallow Completions

Stewart, B.R.; Mullen, M.E.; Howard, W.J.; Norman, W.D.

doi:10.2118/30114-ms

Cited by 24 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 10 publications

(5 reference statements)

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“…VES-based fluids were first reported for upstream oil and gas applications in gravel-pack completions (Nehmer 1988) and frac-packs (Brown et al 1996;Stewart et al 1994) and were later also developed into fluids that were used for hydraulic fracturing (Samuel et al 1997(Samuel et al , 1999(Samuel et al , 2000. Conventional polymerbased fracturing fluid systems incorporate a water-soluble polymer, crosslinker, and breaker among other additives (Al-Muntasheri 2014).…”

Section: A Fracturing Fluidsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Advances in Viscoelastic Surfactants for Improved Production from Hydrocarbon Reservoirs

Hull

Sayed

Al-Muntasheri

2015

Day 2 Tue, April 14, 2015

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Viscoelastic surfactants (VES) are used in upstream oil and gas applications, particularly hydraulic fracturing and matrix acidizing. A description of surfactant types is introduced along with a theoretical description of how they assemble into micelles, what sizes and shapes of micelles can be formed under different conditions, and finally how specific structures can lead to bulk viscoelastic solution properties. This theoretical discussion leads into a description of the specific VES systems that have been used over the last twenty years or so in improved oil recovery for upstream applications.VES-based fluids have been used most extensively for hydraulic fracturing. They are preferred over conventional polymer-based fracturing fluid systems because they are essentially solids-free systems which have demonstrated less damage to the reservoir rock formation. Important advancements in VES have been made by introducing "pseudo-crosslinking agents" such as nanoparticles to enhance the viscosity. Fracturing fluid systems based on VES have also been improved recently by developing internal breakers to lower their viscosity in order to flow back the well. The flexibility of VES-based fluids has been demonstrated by their application as foamed fluids as well as their incorporation with brine systems such as produced water.A second key area that has benefited from VES-based systems is matrix acidizing carbonated-based reservoirs. The viscosity of these VES-based fluids is mostly controlled by pH where, at low pH (low viscosity), the acid system flows easily and invades pore spaces in the formation. During acidizing, the acid is spent, and the pH and viscosity increase. Because the spent acid has higher viscosity, fresh acid is diverted to low permeability un-contacted zones and penetrates the rocks to form wormholes. A number of experimental studies and field applications to these effects have been performed and will be described here.In order for VES-based fluids to play a more prominent role in the field, inherent limitations such as cost, applicable temperature range, and leak-off characteristics will need to continue to be addressed. If we can efficiently and economically overcome these issues, VES-based fluids offer the industry an excellent clean, non-damaging alternative to conventional polymer-based fluids.

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Section: A Fracturing Fluidsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Advances in Viscoelastic Surfactants for Improved Production from Hydrocarbon Reservoirs

Hull

Sayed

Al-Muntasheri

2015

Day 2 Tue, April 14, 2015

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“…A VES-based gelling agent was first developed and used as a carrier fluid in gravel-and frac-pack applications (Nehmer 1988;Stewart et al 1995;Brown et al 1996). The early usage of VES fluid was greatly limited by the fluid stability at elevated temperature.…”

Section: Ves Diverting Agentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of Viscoelastic Surfactant-Based Diverting Agents for Acid Stimulation: Case Histories in GOM

Zeiler¹,

Alleman

Qu³

2006

SPE Production &Amp; Operations

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Viscoelastic-surfactant (VES)-based diverting products have been used successfully in matrix acidizing in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) in recent years. The uses of VES diverters range from remedial matrix-acid or nonacid-cleanup treatments to use before gravel-or frac-packing operations to clean up long intervals after perforating. Success or failure of these treatments is often related to the efficiency of diverting agents, especially for acid treatments on wells with long, heterogeneous intervals or multiple-zone completions. A VES diverting agent is of particular interest to remedial treatments of frac-/gravel-packed wells, because damage to the near-wellbore area and completion should be minimized for optimum production. Laboratory studies and field applications have demonstrated the nondamaging properties of a VES fluid.This paper reviews the properties of the vesicular-type VES diverting fluid, reviews the operational considerations, and presents several case histories with VES diverting agents in the GOM. The bottomhole static temperatures (BHSTs) of these cases range from 140 to 290°F for both gas and oil wells. With an internal breaker system, the diverter does not require contact with formation fluid, brine, or acid to clean up and provide optimum production. In some cases, as many as four stages of diverters were pumped in the treatment, and successful diversion was observed for each stage. The paper outlines field-operational considerations and detailed fluid properties, which were tailored to specific well conditions and formation characteristics. Details and pressure responses of the treatments are discussed.

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“…Viscoelastic surfactants (VESs) bearing viscoelastic characteristics in aqueous solutions have been frequently used for upstream oil and gas applications for gravel completion and fracturing packs since 1995. − In comparison to polymer-based fracturing fluids, VES-based systems have the advantages of low residue, complete gel breaking, and low formation damage and, as a result, enhance the production from the hydraulic fracturing reservoirs. Furthermore, VESs can also be employed for matrix acidification to improve the productivity and injectability of drilling in carbonate reservoirs. , The chemical structures of VESs are similar to conventional surfactants that contain both hydrophilic and hydrophobic chains but with remarkable viscoelastic characteristics.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Synthesis and Properties of Exceptionally Thermo-Switchable Viscoelastic Responsive Zwitterionic Gemini Surfactants in Highly Saline Water

2022

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Viscoelastic surfactants (VESs) have significant importance for stimulation of low-permeable reservoirs and acid diversion applications to effectively enhance hydrocarbon productivity. VESs offer lower residues, complete gel production, and lower formation damage that make them suitable candidates for hydraulic fracturing applications. In this research work, the synthesis of two new zwitterionic gemini surfactants 1 and 2 together with previously known amidosulfobutaine (C 18 AMP3SB) has been achieved. Evaluation of viscosity behavior of neat surfactants in CaCl 2 solutions at varied temperatures and shear rates did not show any upsurge in their viscosities. Nevertheless, a mixture of surfactants 1 and 2 in combination with C 18 AMP3SB displayed a significant increase in viscosity, transforming the solution into a highly viscous gel. At a fixed shear rate of 35 s −1 and under different temperatures, solutions of the mixture of surfactants 1 and C 18 AMP3SB displayed viscosities ranging from 4.34 to 354.3 cPs (81-fold enhancement). Likewise, viscosities of formulations based on mixing 2 and C 18 AMP3SB under identical experimental conditions ranged from 3.89 to 290 cPs (74-fold enhancement). The viscofying stability tests at 90 °C at a shear rate of 35 s −1 of mixed surfactant formulations revealed no appreciable change in their viscosities for up to 1 h. Moreover, temperature-dependent experiments suggested an increase in the viscosity with an increase in temperature. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that these surfactants are thermally stable, with no appreciable loss of mass up to 300 °C. The viscoelastic properties of these surfactants suggest their potential and utility in well stimulation for enhanced oil recovery.

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Use of a Solids-free Viscous Carrying Fluid in Fracturing Applications: An Economic and Productivity Comparison in Shallow Completions

Cited by 24 publications

References 10 publications

Recent Advances in Viscoelastic Surfactants for Improved Production from Hydrocarbon Reservoirs

Recent Advances in Viscoelastic Surfactants for Improved Production from Hydrocarbon Reservoirs

Use of Viscoelastic Surfactant-Based Diverting Agents for Acid Stimulation: Case Histories in GOM

Synthesis and Properties of Exceptionally Thermo-Switchable Viscoelastic Responsive Zwitterionic Gemini Surfactants in Highly Saline Water

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