A novel and cleaner bio-polymer Gum Karaya-based Silica nanocomposite fracturing fluid for high-temperature application

Abstract

AbstractA novel polymer nanocomposite has been synthesized in the present study using a bio-polymer Karaya and inorganic SiO2 nanoparticles via sonication for application as a fracturing fluid in stimulating oil and gas wells. Gum Karaya (KG), an acidic polysaccharide, has been investigated for its structural, morphological and rheological characteristics, and the results have been compared with prepared KG–SiO2 nanocomposite at different SiO2 dosing for improved structure, viscoelasticity, viscosity and temperature stability. Steady shear rheology test depicted pseudoplastic nature, while oscillatory study confirms gel characteristics and weak dependence of storage and loss moduli on frequency for all the prepared samples. Dominance of elasticity over viscous nature of the gel assures efficient solid transporting/suspending capability. Experimental results showed that the rheological characteristics of the synthesized gel is comparable with Guar and CMHPG over the shear and temperature ranges under study and suitable for temperatures above 150 °C and pressure conditions. Also, polymer breaking and sandpack regained permeability tests proved synthesized gels to be a cleaner with less residue as compared to the other two.