07122-36

Primary Performer
University of Tulsa (TU), Tulsa, OK 74104-3189

Abstract

Objective:
Develop novel fluids for remediation and fracturing by better understanding the impact of fluid properties on the performance of flowback of gas in tight gas wells.

Project Description:
Natural gas is increasingly becoming the fuel of choice due to its cleaner burning properties. In the continental United States and many parts of the world large volumes of natural gas are available in very difficult to produce formations such as shales, tight sands, coalbeds and hydrates.

Our research program aims to address key issues to enable recovery from these resources through improved completions and stimulation fluids. Due to the low permeability of the unconventional formations fracture stimulation is most commonly used to recover more gas. Fracture treatments are frequently performed with polymeric fluids and the impact of the invasion of these fluids is to depress the productivity of the gas well. Invasion of aqueous fracturing fluids during stimulation operations can reduce the relative permeability to gas resulting in a “block”. The invaded fracturing fluid establishes a region of high saturation in the rock formation near the fracture, and can significantly reduce the relative permeability and hence the productivity of the well. We propose to develop novel fluids for remediation and fracturing by better understanding the impact of fluid properties on the performance of flowback of gas in tight gas wells.

Impact and Benefits:
The results of this study will enable better selection of treatment fluids to remediate non-performing tight gas wells and also strategies for fluid additives selection in fracturing fluids for future applications.

Principal Investigator Jagannathan Mahadevan