Abstract
Hydraulic fracturing-fluid systems are used to create fractures in hydrocarbon-producing reservoirs and to transport proppant into the fracture to support it and provide optimum production increase. Many reservoirs in North America and the world would not be economical prospects without this technology. Currently, most systems use water-soluble polymers composed of guar or guar derivatives. Additional materials are used to optimize the fluid characteristics for the application and to degrade the water-soluble polymer, making the fluid easier to recover from the well before production. The recovered fluids cannot be used again and must be disposed of in a proper manner.
A new hydraulic fracturing-fluid system has been developed that can provide excellent performance during the fracturing process with post-fracture treatment-fluid recovery approaching 100%. This fluid has the added benefit of being reusable after it is recovered following the treatment and before production. The benefits of reusing the treatment fluid include the cost savings associated with recovery and reuse of chemicals, the cost savings from reduced water volume requirements for subsequent treatments, and the elimination of disposal costs. In addition, the total volume of chemicals required for fracturing operations is significantly less, reducing the demand on the environment.
Reuse of this fluid system requires field analysis of the returned fluid and treatment of the fluid to preserve and maintain it for future use. To achieve the best results from the recovery, preparations should be made to capture and store the fluid for subsequent treatments.
This paper presents the application of the fluid system and the concept for recycling and reuse. The results of eleven treatments in the Barnett Shale in the Fort Worth Basin using the new fluid system and the recycled fluid system are provided.
