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Fracturing fluid composition and method of using same in geological formations

a technology of fluid composition and geological formation, applied in the field of fracturing fluid, to achieve the effect of increasing the viscosity of the fluid composition, sufficient viscosity, and effective operation

Inactive Publication Date: 2014-12-25
PRAXAIR TECH INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a fluid composition for increasing the recovery of hydrocarbons from a geological formation. The fluid composition includes a non-polar fluid (liquid carbon dioxide) and a fumed silica thickener which increases the viscosity of the fluid composition. This thickener enhances the fracturing of the formation and placement of proppant. The fluid composition also behaves as a shear thinning or thixotropic fluid with a viscosity that will decrease with increasing shear rates. This will cause the apparent viscosity to drop in the vicinity of the well bore where shear stresses are high, and thereby minimize frictional losses. This will cause the apparent viscosity to increase in the fracture where shear stresses are lower, so that proppant can be delivered throughout the fracture.

Problems solved by technology

The possibility of water and moisture addition, however, exists in most cases such as in this embodiment, but it is undesirable.

Method used

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  • Fracturing fluid composition and method of using same in geological formations

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example

[0026]This example illustrates the effect of an uncoated fumed silica having a mean primary particle size of approximately 10 nm and surface area of approximately 200 m2 / g when added to toluene at various concentrations in the range of 0.5 to 3.3 weight percent of the silica in toluene. Four samples were prepared. In each case, approximately 270 g of total fluid mixture was prepared by placing pure toluene in ajar that was 95 mm wide to a depth of approximately 50 mm, and then adding the corresponding amount of uncoated fumed silica (i.e., 0.5, 1.25, 1.5, and 3.3 weight percent) to the toluene with continuous mild stirring of the fluid mixture. A Caframo model BDC6015 stirrer unit was employed with a 48 mm diameter dispersion blade, rotating at a 200 rpm. Once all of the fumed silica had been added, the stirring speed was increased to 4,000 rpm and the speed was held for 15 minutes in order to completely disperse the fumed silica in the toluene. After 15 minutes, the mixture was wei...

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Abstract

A composition and method required for providing a fracturing fluid pumped down a well bore and into a subterranean formation under conditions of pressure that will fracture the subterranean formation is described. More specifically, the composition increases the recovery of hydrocarbons from a geological formation penetrated by a well bore, wherein the composition includes a fracturing fluid that is liquid carbon dioxide (LCO2) with proppant to aid transport of the proppant in suspension, and thereby create a fracture using a fracturing fluid which is the thickened composition containing fumed silica. When the composition is without a proppant, the viscosity of the composition is increased in order to improve the fracturing operation through aspects such as increased fracture width and reduced fluid leak-off

Description

[0001]The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 837,974, filed Jun. 21, 2013, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a fracturing fluid and optionally an associated proppant composition wherein fumed silica increases the viscosity of liquid carbon dioxide that is delivered into a well-bore for the fracture treatment of oil and gas reservoirs.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The use of carbon dioxide for production of oil and gas from hydrocarbon containing reservoirs is well known. Utilization of liquid carbon dioxide (LCO2) in fracture treatment of oil and gas formations has certain advantages in water sensitive and low pressure formations. First, the use of LCO2 enables a significant reduction in water volume utilized, which minimizes formation damage caused by the water and second, it promotes water flow-back (i.e., retrieval of water introduced, or produced, in...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): E21B43/267
CPCE21B43/267
Inventor KELLY, RICHARD M.RENZ, WALTER L.
Owner PRAXAIR TECH INC
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