Challenge: To provide friction reduction that meets more stringent performance requirements
Effective fracturing in tight gas formations is critical to the final production rate of a typical well. Friction reducers (FR) help to improve hydraulic fracturing performance, but the chemistry must function in a variety of process situations using waters of different qualities. The ability to use brine flowback waters would reduce the need for other water sources, including fresh water supplies, if friction reduction performance could be improved in higher brines. In addition, the fluids used in the frac job must not contaminate the well with bacteria that could eventually lead to biofilm development, potentially causing microbiological influenced corrosion (MIC), loss of production and the “souring” of a well from biogenic hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas.
While most biocides used in frac applications are quick-kill and short-duration products, the use of a long-term preservative biocide injected with the frac fluids helps assure continued quality production, reducing the potential development of biofilm, MIC and H2S.
Thus, the need for a product that provides friction reduction and meets performance demands consistently in high-brine flowback waters was clear. Furthermore, the solution needed to work well with a biocide that provided long-term preservation in the reservoir.
Improved performance with KemFlow A-4251 friction reducer and AMA-324 biocide
Kemira’s KemFlow A-4251 friction reducer improved performance compared to competitive products in high brines. Customer benefits included lower surface pressure, reduced horsepower requirements, and a lower performance dose, reducing the overall costs of the program.
The use of AMA-324 biocide with KemFlow A-4251 friction reducer provided synergistic performance improvements with respect to maximum friction reduction, time to maximum inversion, and preservation of gas production. In addition, the lower dosage of KemFlow A-4251 reduced fresh water demand, improving the environmental profile of this friction reducer package.