Methodology to break test for surfactant-based fracturing gel

Surfactant-based fracturing gels are considered as clean gels due to the absence of insoluble residues in their composition. This kind of fluid has been developed to minimize or eliminate damages to fractures. In view of this, new studies about properties of this kind of gel have become more and more important. Gel break is an important parameter for hydraulic fracturing gels. This research was carried out with the purpose of developing a laboratory break methodology for surfactant-based fracturing gel. It was observed that the studied gel presented optimum break results, due to a viscosity decrease to 10 mPa s in the first 6 h of the test.