Methodology to break test for surfactant-based fracturing gel

• Published in: Journal of petroleum science & engineering Vol. 50; no. 3; pp. 293 - 298
• Main Authors: Castro Dantas, Tereza N., Santanna, Vanessa C., Dantas Neto, Afonso A., Curbelo, Fabíola D.S., Garnica, Alfredo I.C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 16-03-2006; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Break test; Crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products; Crude oil, natural gas, oil shales producing equipements and methods; Damage; Energy; Enhanced oil recovery methods; Exact sciences and technology; Fracturing gel; Fuels; Prospecting and production of crude oil, natural gas, oil shales and tar sands; Surfactant; Viscosity; Viscosity; Break test; Surfactant; Fracturing gel; Damage; Hydraulic fracturing; Damaging
• ISSN: 0920-4105; 1873-4715
• DOI: 10.1016/j.petrol.2005.12.001

Surfactant-based fracturing gels are considered as clean gels due to the absence of insoluble residues in their composition. This kind of fluid has been developed to minimize or eliminate damages to fractures. In view of this, new studies about properties of this kind of gel have become more and more important. Gel break is an important parameter for hydraulic fracturing gels. This research was carried out with the purpose of developing a laboratory break methodology for surfactant-based fracturing gel. It was observed that the studied gel presented optimum break results, due to a viscosity decrease to 10 mPa s in the first 6 h of the test.