Fracturing Fluid Viscosity Boosting with Nonionic Surfactants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic fracturing fluids face challenges in maintaining high viscosity under high-salinity conditions, leading to reduced friction reduction and increased costs due to the need for higher concentrations of friction reducers, which can also cause permeability reduction in the reservoir.
Innovation Solution
A method using a combination of acrylamide polymer emulsion friction reducers and nonionic surfactants with HLB values between 10 and 17, specifically aralkylated phenol ethoxylates, C12-C22 amine ethoxylates, or ethoxylated alcohols, to enhance viscosity and facilitate effective proppant transport in hydraulic fracturing fluids, particularly with produced water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If higher concentrations of friction reducers are used to maintain viscosity under high-salinity conditions, then viscosity is improved, but cost and permeability reduction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines friction reducers with viscosity boosters to create a composite fluid system. This composite approach allows the friction reducer to maintain its friction reduction function while the viscosity booster compensates for viscosity loss due to high salinity, eliminating the need to increase friction reducer concentration and avoiding associated costs and permeability damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces viscosity boosters that modify the rheological parameters of the fracturing fluid. These additives change the fluid's viscosity characteristics independently of the friction reducer concentration, allowing viscosity to be maintained or enhanced even when friction reducer levels are kept at optimal, cost-effective concentrations.
2Strength
If higher concentrations of friction reducers are used to counteract viscosity reductions due to high salinity, then viscosity is maintained, but cost increases by up to an order of magnitude
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite fluid system combining friction reducers and viscosity boosters. This allows the friction reducer to be used at standard, cost-effective concentrations while the viscosity booster independently addresses salinity-induced viscosity loss, reducing friction reducer costs by up to 90% compared to using friction reducers alone at elevated concentrations.
3Productivity
If elevated levels of friction reducer are used to achieve acceptable viscosity, then proppant transport is improved, but permeability reduction in the reservoir increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite system where viscosity boosters provide the necessary viscosity for proppant transport without requiring elevated friction reducer concentrations. This prevents friction reducers from entering the reservoir at high levels, thereby avoiding the permeability damage that would result from depositing excessive polymer material in the formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The viscosity booster acts as an intermediary substance that provides viscosity enhancement functionality without the harmful side effects of high-concentration friction reducers. It mediates between the need for high viscosity (for proppant transport) and the need to avoid permeability damage, allowing proppant transport to be maintained while preventing reservoir harm.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach maintains high viscosity and friction reduction capabilities in high-salinity environments, reducing the need for elevated friction reducer concentrations and minimizing permeability reduction, thereby enhancing hydrocarbon production efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a nonionic surfactant having a calculated HLB within the range of 10 to 17... The nonionic surfactant enhances the viscosity of the fracturing fluid during use
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic fracturing method is disclosed. A small proportion of a nonionic surfactant is used in combination with an acrylamide polymer emulsion friction reducer, the proppant, and the base water to boost the viscosity of the fracturing fluid. The nonionic surfactant has a calculated HLB within the range of 10 to 17. The nonionic surfactants include selected aralkylated phenol ethoxylates, amine or amidoamine ethoxylates, mixed EO/PO alcohol alkoxylates, ethoxylated alcohols, ethoxylated amides, and alkylphenol ethoxylates. The nonionic surfactant boosts the viscosity of the fracturing fluid, promotes proppant transfer, and enables more-efficient hydrocarbon production.