The rheological behavior of energized fluids and foams with application to hydraulic fracturing: Review

The use of aqueous energized fluids and foams for hydraulic fracturing reduces water consumption and formation damage, while improving proppant transport and placement. Thus, coupling an improvement in well productivity with a reduction in environmental impact appears possible. However, several advances in scientific understanding of these complex fluids, e.g., fracture-induced shear thinning, elasticity and osmotic effects, have not been fully integrated into the engineering practice of well stimulation. These properties may lead to an optimized fracturing fluid that can be tuned to satisfy both sides of the stimulation design spectrum - better fracturing and efficient proppant transport. This review aims to progress in that direction by reviewing recent advancements in combination with earlier and more engineering-oriented works, and to connect the complex rheology and mechanics of energized fluids and foams with practical usage in hydraulic fracturing.