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Fracturing Systems
Hydraulic fracturing is a process of pumping water, oil, and/or gases with a proppant at sufficient pressure to create a fracture in a chosen formation. The goal is to create and prop open the fracture. The fracture becomes a conductive pathway for fluids into the wellbore increasing the wells productivity. Often wells are not productive at naturally occurring production rates and require an artificially induced stimulation treatment. In the design of the stimulation treatment many factors are considered such as rock mechanics, fluid dynamics, chemistry and overall interactions of the design elements.
| Fracturing System |
Description |
| Oil-based Fracturing Systems |
Oil-based fracturing fluids are used to stimulate water sensitive formations. Water sensitive formations typically contain large percentages of clays which react with fresh water or brines. Oil-based fracturing fluids do not adversely affect formation minerals and are considered none damaging with respect to clays. |
| Water-based Fracturing Systems |
Water-based fracturing fluids are used in most stimulation applications. Most formations can be successfully treated with a compatible formulation of a water based fluid consisting of fresh water, acid or light brine. Water-based fluids are economical and readily available in most applications. Water-based fluids can be further sub divided by their viscosity enhancement. Cw-2K™ Slick Water System uses a minimal amount of viscosity and fluid loss control. Super Gels (linear gels) use moderate amounts of viscosity with a slight amount of fluid loss control. XL Systems (cross linked gels) use specialized chemistry to greatly enhance to viscosity of the base polymer. |
| Foam-based Fracturing Systems |
Foam-based fracturing fluids are used in low pressure formations and fluid sensitive formations to aid in clean-up and reduce fluid contact. Foam-based fluids are gas and liquid dispersions creating a foam. The gas phase energizes the system allowing for better fluid recovery and less swabbing or clean-up time. The volume occupied by the inert gas also reduces the amount of liquid required. By reducing liquid less fluid contacts the formation and reduces fluid incompatibility problems. Foams can use nitrogen and/or CO2 as the internal phase, and water acid, water-methanol mixtures, and hydrocarbons as the external phase. |
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