Development of a Non-Damaging, Non-Crosslinked Fracturing Fluid System with Enhanced Proppant Suspension Capacity, Field Experiences in Tight and Unconventional Formations

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this work relates to the development of a novel fracture fluid, non-damaging, non-crosslinked, non-guar based capable of providing excellent fracture conductivity through outstanding proppant placement and contact area, invariably in tight or unconventional reservoirs. Laboratory data generated around rheology, proppant suspension, fluid leakoff, friction performance, results, together with actual treatment performed in tight formations are presented and discussed. The novel fracture system presents the fusion of two characteristic behaviors of a Slick water fluid and an activated fluid, allowing with this; propped fractures with greater contact area within the reservoir, excellent capacity of suspension, and transport of high concentrations of proppants without using natural polymers, reflecting an important decrease in polymer damage and a high gain in retained conductivity of around 96%, and high efficiency during post-fracture pack cleaning if energized. One of the key performance indicators to measure its value, is the ability to effectively distribute proppant inside fracture, generating a good proppant pack capable of sustaining the greater contact area created, with minimum settling, as demonstrated through field trials in tight (0.5-1 mD) and unconventional well treatments, enhancing fracture conductivity. To demonstrate this, production performance for a tight gas well is presented where a higher production gain (x2) was observed in one well when compared with neighboring wells.