The influence of fiber on the rheological properties, microstructure and suspension behavior of the supramolecular viscoelastic fracturing fluid

Abstract

An innovative fiber-based fracturing fluid technology has been developed to enhance the productivity of low-permeability and ultra-low-permeability reservoirs. However, few studies have focused on the influence of fiber on the rheological properties, microstructure and suspension behavior of a supramolecular fracturing fluid. In this article, the rheological properties, microstructure and proppant suspension behavior of the supramolecular fluid affected by the fibers were discussed. The rheological measurement showed the addition of fibers facilitated the formation of the fiber network and strengthened the mechanical network structure which improved the rheological properties of the fluid. The addition of fibers did not change the reversible shear thinning behavior of this fluid. Meanwhile, it was proven that the power-law model could accurately predict the rheological parameters of this fiber-laden fracturing fluid. Both temperature and shear rate could disassemble the complex structure of this fiber-based fracturing fluid resulting in the decrease of viscosity. The scanning electron microscopes (SEM) micrographs demonstrated the supramolecular network honeycomb structure of the fluid, which was made up of the wormlike micelles and polymer chains with extremely efficient physical crosslinking. The proppant suspension data indicated the elasticity factor did not represent the proppant suspension capacity of the liquid. The results of the rheological measurement, SEM and the static-column test showed that the fiber network could improve the proppant suspension capacity through strengthening the ability of load bearing and consolidation of the fluid.