Abstract
A new friction reducer was tested in various fluids to measure its performance in both a small scale flow loop and a field- scale system. The friction reducer is a high molecular weight, synthetic polymer, which is compatible with many brines, including calcium chloride and calcium bromide, and is thermally stable. The friction pressure study utilized fresh water and several brines, including 7% KCl, 9.7 ppg NaCl and 11.4 ppg CaCl2. The fresh water systems were pumped through 1½ inch diameter coiled tubing and straight pipe. For the heavier brines, a small scale flow loop, consisting of ½ inch diameter coiled tubing and straight pipe was used. There was good correlation between the fresh water friction pressures measured in the small scale flow loop and full scale system for straight pipe. Drag reductions as high as 81% were achieved in the straight pipe, and as high as 69% in coiled tubing. The heavier brines generally required greater polymer loadings in order to achieve substantial drag reduction.
Field applications of the new polymer have been conducted in North Louisiana, in the Haynesville Shale. These treatments utilized 9.8 ppg produced brines, and were pumped through 17,000 feet of coiled tubing. The polymer was applied as a suspension in order to provide enhanced field mixing. The use of the new polymer produced significantly greater friction reduction than previous technology, and provided improved economics.
