Title: Experimental optimisation of the fracturing treatment design to enhance long-term gas production in shale formations

Authors: Aymen Al-Ameri; Talal Gamadi; Lloyd R. Heinze

Addresses: Bob L. Herd Department of Petroleum Engineering, Texas Tech University, 2500 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA ' Bob L. Herd Department of Petroleum Engineering, Texas Tech University, 2500 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA ' Bob L. Herd Department of Petroleum Engineering, Texas Tech University, 2500 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA

Abstract: We investigated the impact of the friction reducer, nonionic surfactant and slugs of dilute HCl on the Eagle Ford and Marcellus shales permeability during hydraulic fracturing pad stage. Moreover, we examined injecting of a nonionic surfactant or slugs of 3% HCl when the slickwater was used in the pad stage. Lastly, we investigated the impact of pumping slugs of 3% HCl when a nonionic surfactant was added to the slickwater pad fluid. Throughout fracturing pad stage, the polymer adsorption reduces both of the fluid loss and fluid flowback. However, the nonionic surfactant and HCl acid increase the fluid loss. The results recommended injecting slugs of a nonionic surfactant for both of the Eagle Ford and Marcellus shales when the pad fluid was a slickwater. Moreover, pumping slugs of 3% HCl was only recommended for the Eagle Ford when the nonionic surfactant was added to the slickwater pad fluid.

Keywords: fracturing treatment; shale formations; fracture face; friction reducer; polymeradsorption; non-ionic surfactant; dilute HCl.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPE.2018.093166

International Journal of Petroleum Engineering, 2018 Vol.3 No.2, pp.138 - 155

Received: 12 Jan 2018
Accepted: 26 Apr 2018
Published online: 11 Jul 2018 *

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