Novel High-Efficiency Boron Crosslinkers for Low-Polymer-Loading Fracturing Fluids

Authors
Magnus Legemah (Baker Hughes) | Michael Guerin (Baker Hughes) | Hong Sun (Baker Hughes) | Qi Qu (Baker Hughes)
DOI
http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/164118-PA
Document ID
SPE-164118-PA
Publisher
Society of Petroleum Engineers
Source
SPE Journal
Volume
19
Issue
04
Publication Date
August 2014
Document Type
Journal Paper
Pages
737 - 743
Language
English
ISSN
1086-055X
Copyright
2014.Society of Petroleum Engineers
Disciplines
5.2.1 Phase Behavior and PVT Measurements, 2.2.3 Fluid Loss Control, 2.5.2 Fracturing Materials (Fluids, Proppant)
Keywords
Fracturing Fluid Chemistry
Downloads
3 in the last 30 days
398 since 2007
Show more detail
SPE Member Price: USD 10.00
SPE Non-Member Price: USD 30.00
View rights & permissions

Summary

Boron-based crosslinkers are used commonly to increase viscosity and to improve fluid-loss control and proppant transportability of guar and its derivative fluids. Boron crosslinkers are usually preferred because of their ability to reheal after shearing and their favorable environmental properties. More-efficient crosslinkers capable of crosslinking fluids with reduced polymer loading have always been of great interest, to reduce both the formation and the proppant-pack damage from polymer residues and to reduce overall fluid cost, especially with the reduced availability and higher cost of guar. Recently, we reported in paper SPE 140817 (Sun and Qu 2011) the synthesis of polyaminoboronates, bulky compounds containing multiple boron sites and capable of interacting with multiple polysaccharide strands to form more complex crosslinking networks at lower polymer loadings than conventional guar fluids. However, to improve the marketability and acceptance of the product, a lower-cost combination of raw materials is sought. In addition, a delaying mechanism to improve the control of the fluid-viscosity buildup can make the product fit into broader applications. A readily available polyamine was used as the base scaffold, and boron was incorporated by means of intermediate borate formed in the condensation reaction between boric acid and ethylene glycol to replace volatile and highly flammable trimethylborate. New chemistry was developed to produce more-controlled crosslinking. The resulting compound exhibited desired adjustable delay characteristics. This paper shows the effect of a series of new crosslinkers in terms of delay properties. The testing results of fluids with a 20%-lower polymer loading, crosslinked with the new crosslinker, are reported and compared with those of conventional fluids. Analysis and discussion of the chemistry, crosslinker performance, and economics will be presented.

File Size   800 KBNumber of Pages   7

References

American Petroleum Institute. 1998. Recommended Practices on Measuring the Viscous Properties of a Cross-Linked Water-Based Fracturing Fluid, third edition.

Babcock, L. and Pizer, R. 1983. Comments on the Formation of Bis (Catecholato) Borates, Potassium Bis (4-Methylcatecholato) Borates (III). Inorg. Chem. 22: 174−176.

Brannon, H.D. and Ault, M.G. 1991. New, Delayed Borate-Crosslinked Fluid Improved Fracture Conductivity in High-Temperature Applications. Paper SPE 22838 presented at the Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Dallas, Texas, 6−9 October. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/22838-MS.

Chen, G.C. 2008. Synthesis and Evaluation of Aminoborates Derived From Boric Acid and Diols From Protecting Wood Against Fungal and Thermal Degradation. Wood and Fiber Science 40 (2): 248−257.

Cramer, D.D. and Woo, G.T. 2004. Development and Implementation of a Low-Polymer-Crosslinked Fracturing Fluid for Low-Temperature Applications. Paper SPE 91418 presented at the Eastern Regional Meeting, Charleston, West Virginia, 15−17 September. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/91418-MS.

Dawson, J.C. 1992. Method and Composition for Delaying the Gellation of Borated Galactomannans. US Patent No. 5,082,579.

Dawson, J.C., Le, H.V., and Kesavan, S 2000. Polymer Expansion for Oil and Gas Recovery. US Patent No. 6,017,855.

Free, L.D. 1976. Fracturing Subterranean Formation. US Patent No. 3,974,077.

Harris, C.P. and Heath, S.J. 1994. Delayed Release Borate Crosslinking Agent. US Patent No. 5,372,732.

International Organization for Standardization. 2004. Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries—Completion Fluids and Materials, ISO/DIS 13503.

Kinsey, III E.W., Sharif, S., and Harry, N.D. 1996. Method of Gelling a Guar or Derivatized Guar Polymer Solution utilized to perform a Hydraulic Fracturing Operation. US Patent No. 5,488,083.

Lafitte, V., Tustin, G., Drochon, B. et al. 2012. Nanomaterials in Fracturing Applications. Paper SPE 155533 presented at the SPE international Oilfield Nanotechnology Conference, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12−14 June. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/155533-MS.

Lei, C. and Clark, P.E. 2004. Crosslinking of Guar and Guar Derivatives. Paper SPE 90840 first presented at the 2004 SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Houston, Texas, 26−29 September, and peer-approved 31 May 2007. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/90840-MS.

Mondshine, T.C. 1986. Crosslinked Fracturing Fluid. US Patent No. 4,619,776.

Moorhouse, R. and Chen, G. 2001. Suspended Delayed Borate Cross-Linker. US Patent No. 6,225,264.

Nelson, B.E., Cawiezel, K.E., and Constien, V.G. 1995. US Patent No. 5,445,223.

Sun, H. and Qu, Q. 2011. High-Efficiency Boron Crosslinkers for Low-Polymer Fracturing Fluids. Paper SPE 140817 presented at the 2011 International Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry, The Woodlands, Texas, 11−13 April. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/140817-MS.

Williams, N.J., Kelly, P.A., Berard, K.G. et al. 2012. Fracturing Fluid With Low-Polymer Loading Using a New Set of Boron Crosslinkers: Laboratory and Field Studies, paper SPE 151715 presented at the International Symposium and Exhibition on Formation Damage Control, Lafayette, Louisiana, 15−17 February. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/151715-MS.

Wood, W.D., Brannon, H.D., Ault, M.G. et al. 2002. A Case Study of Long-Term Production Enhancement Derived From Usage of Organo-Borate Crosslinked Fluids. Paper SPE 77747 presented at the Annual Technical Conference, San Antonio, Texas, 29 September−2 October. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/77747-MS.