DEVELOPMENT OF WATER-BASED FRACTURING FLUIDS
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Date
2018-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
The physical and chemical properties of unconventional gas shale reservoirs differ significantly from those of conventional reservoirs requiring stimulation of the formation to improve economic recovery rates. Marked improvement in our understanding of the heterogeneous complexities of gas shale formations, new drilling methods and targeted design of novel frac fluids have all converged to make extraction of gas tight formations economically viable. New methods in well stimulation in which the rock is fractured by a pressurized frac fluid now allows the U.S. to expand its domestic production of hydrocarbons to a point where we are now more self-reliant on our own subsurface resources. The technological advances have led to a significant change in the global energy landscape. This study focused on the nature of the frac fluids used to stimulate gas production. We first provide a brief overview of the hydraulic fracturing that includes a discussion of slickwater frac fluid design and a historical perspective on the evolution of frac fluids. The geological characteristics and pore features of the highly productive Marcellus gas shale are used as a basis for method development that targeted the FracFocus.org web site. This expansive data base provides detailed accounting of the chemical additives used in hydraulic fracturing. Data analytic assessment of chemical data reported for the Marcellus Formation resulted in a unique compilation of specific chemical additives that industry uses to optimize gas recovery. The composition of the Marcellus frac fluid blend indicates how the industry tailors the chemical additives to take advantage of key formation characteristics including subsurface temperature, pressure, pore type and organic matter type.
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Keywords
hydraulic fracturing fluid, Marcellus, Porosity, permeability