Viscosifying FR Fluids Mark Van Domelen
Topics What are VFRs? Potential Advantages Using VFRs with Produced Water Q & A Current activity Challenges R&D work 2
What are VFRs? VFRs are viscosifying polymers used in fracturing operations that are added to frac water in order to reduce pipe friction, develop viscosity, and transport proppant. VFR Fluid @ 3 gpt VFR fluids are being used as alternatives to slickwater or hybrid-type frac designs. 3
Potential Advantages of VFRs Fewer chemicals required on location Rapid hydration High regain fracture conductivity Good proppant transport Reduced water consumption Can be used in produced waters 4
Fewer Chemicals Crosslinked Gel Formulation Guar gel ph Control (low) ph Control (High) Instant Crosslinker Delayed Crosslinker Breaker Biocide Surfactant Scale inhibitor Clay control VFR Formulation VFR Polymer Breaker Biocide Surfactant Scale inhibitor Clay control 5
Viscosity Profiles Test in Tap Water @ 3 gpt VFR Test in Average Quality Frac Water 6
Hydration and Friction Reduction Test in Tap Water Test in Produced Water 7
Regain Fracture Conductivity Regain conductivity is a measure of how well the fracturing fluid restores the original, undamaged fracture conductivity after flow through a proppant pack. 9 Data from PropTester and StimLab Consortium All tests included breaker and surfactant
10 Proppant Transport (Guar vs. VFR)
Proppant Transport (Guar vs. VFR) Proppant Transport Experimental Setup 11
Proppant Transport 1 ppg 40/70 sand VFR @ 3gpt Viscosity 11.1 cp @ 511 sec-1 20 ppt linear guar gel Viscosity 19.9 cp @ 511 sec-1 12
Reduced Water Usage and Shorter Pump Times 30% Less Water 42 minute shorter pump time Slickwater Design Water Used 10,810 bbls Pump Time 128 minutes Prop Conc. (PPA) Stage Liquid Volume (GAL) Cum. Liquid Volume (GAL) Cum. Prop. Mass (LBS) Pump Rate (BPM) Cum. Time Description Fluid Type Load Well Slickwater 0 2,000 2,000 0 10 4.8 15% HCL Acid 0.00 2,000 4,000 0 10 9.5 Pad Slickwater 0.00 40,000 44,000 0 90 20.1 100 mesh Slickwater 0.50 40,000 84,000 20,000 90 30.7 100 mesh Slickwater 0.75 40,000 124,000 50,000 90 41.3 100 mesh Slickwater 1.00 40,000 164,000 90,000 90 51.9 100 mesh Slickwater 1.25 40,000 204,000 140,000 90 62.4 100 mesh Slickwater 1.50 30,000 234,000 185,000 90 70.4 40/70 mesh Slickwater 0.50 30,000 264,000 200,000 90 78.3 40/70 mesh Slickwater 0.75 30,000 294,000 222,500 90 86.2 40/70 mesh Slickwater 1.00 30,000 324,000 252,500 90 94.2 40/70 mesh Slickwater 1.25 30,000 354,000 290,000 90 102.1 40/70 mesh Slickwater 1.50 30,000 384,000 335,000 90 110.1 40/70 mesh Slickwater 1.75 30,000 414,000 387,500 90 118.0 40/70 mesh Slickwater 2.00 30,000 444,000 447,500 90 125.9 Flush Slickwater 0.00 10,000 454,000 447,500 80 128.9 VFR Design Water Used 7,000 bbls Pump Time 86 minutes Prop Conc. (PPA) Stage Liquid Volume (GAL) Cum. Liquid Volume (GAL) Cum. Prop. Mass (LBS) Pump Rate (BPM) Cum. Time Description Fluid Type Load Well HVFR 1000 1,000 0 10 2.4 15% HCL Acid 0 3,000 4,000 0 10 9.5 Pad HVFR 0.00 25,000 29,000 0 90 16.1 100 mesh HVFR 0.50 25,000 54,000 12,500 90 22.8 100 mesh HVFR 1.00 25,000 79,000 37,500 90 29.4 100 mesh HVFR 1.50 25,000 104,000 75,000 90 36.0 100 mesh HVFR 2.00 25,000 129,000 125,000 90 42.6 100 mesh HVFR 2.50 25,000 154,000 187,500 90 49.2 40/70 mesh HVFR 0.75 20,000 174,000 202,500 90 54.5 40/70 mesh HVFR 1.00 20,000 194,000 222,500 90 59.8 40/70 mesh HVFR 1.50 18,000 212,000 249,500 90 64.6 40/70 mesh HVFR 2.00 18,000 230,000 285,500 90 69.3 40/70 mesh HVFR 2.50 18,000 248,000 330,500 90 74.1 40/70 mesh HVFR 3.00 18,000 266,000 384,500 90 78.8 40/70 mesh HVFR 3.50 18,000 284,000 447,500 90 83.6 Flush HVFR 0.00 10,000 294,000 447,500 90 86.2
VFRs in Produced Waters Current Activity Midland Basin Operator Frac Design Objectives 3-4 ppg sand +/- 600k lbs per stage Started with 50:50 ratio Now pumping 100% produced water Over 20 wells completed using HVFR General Information Water 1 Water 2 Water Fresh water Produced water Date received 04.20.2017 04.20.2017 Fluid appearance Clear Turbid Precipitate at bottom None yes Fluid color Colorless Opaque light brown Fluid Odor None Organic smell ph 8.09 6.85 Specific gravity 1.001 1.082 Parameters Concentration Concentration Alkalinity (1) (as CaCO3 mg/l) 186 mg/l 1080 mg/l Total Hardness (1) (as CaCO3 mg/l) 376 mg/l 9530 mg/l Calcium (1) (as CaCO3 mg/l) 354 mg/l 8150 mg/l Magnesium (1) (as CaCO3 mg/l) 22 mg/l 1380 mg/l Manganese (2) (as Mn) 0.1 mg/l 11.5 mg/l Iron (2) (Fe) 0.06 mg/l 17.8 mg/l Phosphate (3) (PO4) 5 mg/l 5 mg/l Sulfate (2) (SO4) 230 mg/l 790 mg/l Barium (2) (Ba) 1 mg/l 16 mg/l Hydrogen Sulfide (4) (H2S) 0 0 Free Chlorine (as Cl2) 0 0 Chloride (3) (Cl) 189 mg/l 64700 mg/l TDS (5) (as conductivity at 25C) 898 mg/l 116350 mg/l 14
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