Title: New Insights on Hydraulic Fracturing From
the Fracturing Fluid Characterization
Facility
Author(s): L.R. Brand, Gas Research Institute, S.N.
Shah, The University of Oklahoma, D.L.
Lord, Halliburton Energy Services
Presentation: International Gas Conference
Location: Cannes, France
Date: November 6-9, 1995
Abstract: Accurate design and control of hydraulic
fracturing treatment in natural gas wells can only be
accomplished if the industry is able to characterized the
role of the fracturing fluid in creating the fracture and
placing the proppant. At present, assumptions are made on
the insitu performance of fluids based on rheology
measurements from laboratory benchtop equipment because
fluid performance cannot be measured in the field. The
Fracturing Fluid Characterization Facility High Pressure
Simulator (HPS), is a new large-scale fracture simulator
that enables researchers to measure fluid properties under
conditions representative of the downhole environment.
Research results discussed in this paper include:
significant differences in rheometric data between
conventional rheometers and the HPS, differences between
expected and measured pressure loss through perforations,
dynamic fluid loss measurements, effect of rock texture on
filtercake formation, and the importance of measurement on
crosslinked gel rheology.
