Summary
Hydraulic fracturing has proved to be one of the best technologies to
improve productivity from tight gas wells. In such low-permeability reservoirs,
careful consideration must be given to fracturing fluid selection. Some
reservoirs are underpressured and require the use of energized fluids, while
others are sensitive to water-based fluids because of clay swelling and
migration.
Proppant pack damage because of gel residue is one of the primary causes of
low production rates after hydraulic fracturing treatments. To minimize the
damage and maximize production, a new premium, highly efficient fracturing
fluid was developed. This premium system incorporates low-polymer-loading
carboxymethyl guar polymer and a zirconium-based crosslinker. An adjustable
crosslink delay makes the fluid ideal for deep-well fracturing and
coiled-tubing treatment as frictional pressure losses can be minimized. The
system can be energized or foamed with carbon dioxide (CO2) and
nitrogen (N2) or may also be used in binary foam systems.
This paper will provide details on the new fracturing fluid system, in terms
of proppant pack cleanup, rheological properties, and fluid loss, as well as
other parameters. Various rheological evaluations using high-pressure,
high-temperature rheometers as well as a foam loop, fluid leakoff testing,
proppant pack conductivity, and regain permeability evaluations are
presented.
Field case histories will evaluate fracturing treatments using new
fracturing fluid and comparable treatments using conventional fluid. Normalized
production data of the treated wells of both systems are also compared.
© 2009. Society of Petroleum Engineers
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History
- Original manuscript received:
16 July 2008
- Meeting paper published:
21 September 2008
- Revised manuscript received:
19 March 2009
- Manuscript approved:
31 March 2009
- Published online:
29 October 2009
- Version of record:
25 November 2009
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