Insights on Potential Formation Damage Mechanisms Associated with the Use of Gel Breakers in Hydraulic Fracturing

Polymers
Tariq AlmubarakHisham A Nasr-El-Din

Abstract

Hydraulic fracturing using water-soluble polymers has been extensively used to enhance the productivity of oil and gas wells. However, the production enhancement can be significantly impaired due to polymer residue generated within the proppant pack in the created fractures. This work describes an approach to establish a suitable fracturing fluid cleanup process by characterizing broken polymer residues generated from the use of different gel breaker types. Commonly used gel breakers such as inorganic oxidizers (bromate and persulfate salts), specific enzymes, and acids were evaluated in this work. The influence of each gel breaker was examined using High-Pressure/High-Temperature (HP/HT) rheometer, aging cells, zeta potential, Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), and Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope/Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (ESEM/EDS). Experiments were performed on a carboxymethylhydroxypropyl guar (CMHPG) fracturing fluid at temperatures up to 300 °F. The developed GPC methodology showed that the size of the broken polymer chains was mainly dependent on the type of gel breakers used. Moreover, laboratory tests have revealed that some gel breakers may negatively influence the performance of polymeric clay...Continue Reading

References

Mar 1, 2019·Antioxidants·Dayana BenchoamBeatriz Alvarez

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
electrophoresis
X-ray

Software Mentioned

Cirrus
OpenLAB
GPC

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Medical Times
L J Cantoni, L Cantoni
JAMA : the Journal of the American Medical Association
B RamirezM D Edwards
Pediatrics
W G Bithoney
The Lancet. Planetary Health
The Lancet Planetary Health
ACS Central Science
Mark Peplow
© 2021 Meta ULC. All rights reserved