Recycling oilfield wastewater for hydraulic fracturing requires a good understanding of the water chemical characteristics and how these interact with the frac fluid. The viscosity and rheological properties of frac fluids significantly affect proppant placement, length and width of fractures, fracture conductivity, and consequently, the success of the treatment. The objective of the research herein was to determine if high concentrations of dissolved organic matter (DOM) influence subsequent fracks with a gelled fluid. Experimental studies were conducted on four types of water: (1) model water with low DOM, (2) recycled water from an industrial treatment facility (medium DOM), (3) untreated early time flowback water (high DOM), and (4) untreated produced water (high DOM). A low-pH, transition metal crosslinker gelled fluid at 200°F was examined in the study. The three water samples that had higher levels of organic matter (TOC &gt; 1000 mg/L) exhibited lower peak viscosities and rapid viscosity decay compared to the model water.

Recycling flowback and produced water in hydraulic fracturing: Influence of organic matter on frac fluid stability

251st National Meeting (2016)

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