Study on the Influence of Base Fluid Properties on the Performance of Carbon Dioxide Foam Fracturing Fluids

Xiaolong Wang

doi:10.54691/pjbkv068

Authors

Xiaolong Wang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54691/pjbkv068

Keywords:

Carbon Dioxide Foam Fracturing Fluid; Base Fluid System; Stability; Rheological Properties; Sand-carrying Capacity.

Abstract

CO₂ foam fracturing fluids, commonly used in fracturing deep unconventional oil and gas reservoirs, currently suffer from poor stability, high friction resistance, and inadequate sand-carrying capacity. This study selected three base fluids: guanidine gel (traditional system), G509 surfactant composite system, and SCF novel polymer system. Testing was conducted using a high-temperature, high-pressure foam generator and a high-temperature, high-pressure rotational rheometer system.The stability, rheology, and sand-carrying properties of carbon dioxide (CO₂) foam fracturing fluids were investigated under three different base fluid types. Using a high-temperature, high-pressure visual reactor, the foam stability in both liquid and supercritical states was evaluated via the half-life method. Rheological parameters were measured using a rotational rheometer, and the constitutive equation was fitted. Combined with clay aggregate settling experiments, the sand-carrying characteristics under actual operating conditions were analyzed.Experimental results indicate that under liquid CO₂ conditions, the SCF system exhibits optimal stability with virtually no liquid phase separation within 300 minutes. Under supercritical CO₂ conditions, both the guanidine-gum system and SCF system exhibited half-lives of 293 min, significantly outperforming the G509 system (14 min). Regarding rheological properties, all three systems demonstrated pseudoplastic behavior, with the SCF system maintaining superior viscosity retention under high shear conditions. In terms of sand-carrying capacity, the SCF system exhibited the longest aggregate settling time (>80 min) and the best sand-carrying performance.To provide reference for selecting fracturing fluid systems for deep unconventional oil and gas reservoirs.

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