Polysaccharide-Grafted Friction Reducer for High Salinity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional friction reducers used in slickwater fracturing are inefficient in high salinity environments and have limited proppant transporting capacity due to low viscosity, and obtaining fresh water for slickwater treatment fluids is challenging.
Innovation Solution
Development of a friction reducer comprising a polysaccharide-graft-water-soluble polymer that maintains viscosity and provides high friction reduction in both elevated and reduced salinity environments, including synthetic seawater, by using a hybrid polymer with a polysaccharide and a water-soluble polymer, such as polysaccharide-g-polyacrylamide, which is tolerant to monovalent and divalent ions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional friction reducers are used in high salinity environments, then friction reduction is achieved, but viscosity is low resulting in limited proppant transporting capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite friction reducer formulation containing polysaccharide-grafted polymers (such as guar-g-polyacrylamide) combined with traditional friction reducers. This composite approach maintains friction reduction efficiency in high salinity environments while increasing viscosity to improve proppant transporting capacity. The polysaccharide-g-polymer component provides salt tolerance and viscosity maintenance, directly resolving the contradiction between friction reduction reliability and proppant transport capability.
2Reliability
If fresh water is used for slickwater treatment fluids, then friction reduction is effective, but obtaining fresh water becomes challenging and requires large amounts of water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the friction reducer to enable effective operation in high salinity conditions. By using polysaccharide-grafted polymers that are tolerant to monovalent and divalent ions, the friction reducer maintains its friction reduction performance in brackish water and synthetic seawater, eliminating the need for large amounts of fresh water while preserving treatment effectiveness.
3Ease of operation
If conventional friction reducers are used, then operation is simple, but viscosity is low limiting proppant carrying capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite friction reducer system that combines polysaccharide-grafted polymers with conventional friction reducers. This composite formulation maintains the operational simplicity of slickwater fracturing while significantly improving viscosity and proppant carrying capacity. The polysaccharide-g-polymer component provides the necessary viscosity enhancement without complicating the overall operation, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and proppant transport capability.
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
The polysaccharide-graft-water-soluble polymer friction reducer maintains viscosity in high salinity conditions, enhances friction reduction, and increases proppant carrying capacity, allowing for effective slickwater fracturing without the need for large amounts of fresh water.
Implementation Method 1
a friction reducer comprising a polysaccharide-graft-water-soluble polymer that maintains viscosity and provides high friction reduction in both elevated and reduced salinity environments, including synthetic seawater, by using a hybrid polymer with a polysaccharide and a water-soluble polymer, such as polysaccharide-g-polyacrylamide, which is tolerant to monovalent and divalent ions
Data Source
AI summary
A friction reducer includes a polysaccharide-graft-water-soluble polymer is provided. A polysaccharide in an amount of from about 0.1 to 50% by weight (wt. %) may make up the polysaccharide-graft-water-soluble polymer. A wellbore treatment fluid is provided that includes an aqueous base fluid and the friction reducer in an amount up to about 10% of the wellbore treatment fluid. A method of using a wellbore treatment fluid includes the step of introducing the wellbore treatment fluid as previously provided into a wellbore.