Performance and application of new anionic D3F-AS05 viscoelastic fracturing fluid

Recently, polymer free fracturing fluid was investigated to reduce formation and fracture conductivity damage during and after hydraulic fracture treatment. This fluid system uses a viscoelastic surfactant (VES). Some shortcomings of VES fluid such as excessive leakoff and the limit of temperature range have limited the use of the conventional VES fluid.On the basis of the conventional VES fracturing fluid system, a new anionic VES fracturing fluid “D3F-AS05” was developed through an extensive experiments. The fluid utilizes a specially formulated anionic surfactant. Analysis of laboratory tests indicates that the new fluid has good viscosity stability with high ability of carrying sand; the fluid also has low fluid loss and low frictional resistance. On the other hand, more than 97% returned permeability was achieved, which indicates low formation damage after gel-breaking. The temperature stability of the new fluids extended to more than 90 °C. This allowed the fluid to be used in the deep well with a high injection rate.This paper provides the procedures and the chemical additive of the new fluid and has focused on the performance of the fluid under different concentrations. The paper also illustrates the effect of the fluid in fracture geometry with a field application result.

Research highlights► D3F-AS05 fracturing fluid was developed in which fluid stability extended to 90 °C. ► The fluid suspends proppant at viscosities lower than that of the conventional fluid. ► Fluid concentration should be optimized depending on the formation temperature. ► The fluid controls fracture geometry without compromising proppant transport.