Rheological characterization of borate crosslinked fluids using oscillatory measurements

Abstract

Fracturing fluid has a very important role in hydraulic fracturing treatment. Viscosity of hydraulic fracturing fluid affects transporting, suspending, and deposition of proppant, as well as flow back after treatment. It should also be capable to develop the necessary fracture width to accept proppants or to allow deep acid penetration. Compatibility with formation fluids and material has to be taken into account (Guo et al. 2007). Rheology of the fracturing fluid is fundamental for hydraulic fracturing design, i.e. prediction of fracture growth and geometry. Accurate measurements and good understanding of rheological properties of hydraulic fracturing fluids are essential for designing and executing an optimum treatment. Failure in selection of fracturing fluid will result in unsuccessful treatment in term of reservoir conditions, oil production, and net present value. Borate crosslinked fluids have been widely used as a fracturing fluid in the oil industry. Experimental study has been conducted to investigate the rheological properties of borate crosslinked fluids and the results are presented in this paper. Many oscillatory measurements have been conducted to investigate the behavior of the rheological properties of the fracturing fluid samples under different conditions and the possible relationship among them. Results of the oscillatory measurements of certain borate crosslinked fluids are shown in this paper. It was demonstrated that the linear-viscoelasticlimit and flow-point frequency are dependent on temperature.