A flow loop was used to evaluate the stability of fracturing fluids at high temperatures. The design provides enough pressure to prevent vaporization of water-base systems up to 350°F [177°C]. Crosslinked polymer systems from four service companies were evaluated at 180 and 245°F [82 and 118°C]. The tests showed that crosslinked fracturing fluids degrade with temperature and shear, losing much of their viscosity and proppant-carrying capacity in a few hours. Thermal stability is a major factor in selecting gels for fracturing deep, high-temperature reservoirs.

Keywords:
crosslinker, shear stress, production control, viscometer, test section, reservoir surveillance, apparent viscosity, pressure drop, flow loop, shear rate
Subjects:
Downhole and wellsite flow metering, Fracturing materials (fluids, proppant), Hydraulic Fracturing, Production logging, Well & Reservoir Surveillance and Monitoring
Copyright 1984, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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