Abstract
Introduction: Hydraulic fracturing has rapidly gained popularity in the last decade, emerging as the leading method of natural gas extraction in the United States. The practice remains controversial, however, due to the release of green-house gases from burning shale gas as well as the contamination of freshwater used in fracturing fluids. Although wa-terless fracturing fluids have been developed, including nitrogen, carbon dioxide, oil, and alcohol, their application has been limited due to either reduced fracturing power or safety, as well as environmental concerns. Recent research suggests that cryogenic liquid nitrogen may provide both a safe and environmentally-friendly alternative if a number of additional characteristics of its fracturing capabilities can be improved. Addition of ultra-lightweight proppants is a potential method of increasing the fracturing power of less viscous fluids. This research protocol aims to investigate the effect of ultra-lightweight proppant addition on the fracturing capabilities of liquid nitrogen. Methods: Three ultra-lightweight proppants will be combined at differing concentrations with liquid nitrogen and ap-plied to samples of shale rock under triaxial stress. A control trial will also apply liquid nitrogen without the addition of any proppant. Fracturing power, measured on the basis of fracture length, will be assessed following each trial. Results: The results of these triaxial stress tests will provide measures of fracturing power for each proppant type and concentration combination. Discussion: Analysis of these results will reveal whether the addition of ultra-lightweight proppants increases the frac-turing capabilities of liquid nitrogen as well as identify the proppant type and concentration combination that affords liquid nitrogen the greatest fracturing power. Conclusion: The effect of ultra-lightweight proppant addition on the fracturing capabilities of liquid nitrogen has yet to be explored. Implementation of this protocol will open more avenues of research into sustainable and efficient frac-turing using liquid nitrogen.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Undergraduate Research in Natural and Clinical Science and Technology (URNCST) Journal
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
