Rheological properties study of fracturing fluids using local sands

Abstract

A method of extracting natural gas from shale rock formations is hydraulic fracturing. The nearly water-based fracking fluid consists of cross-linking agents, mineral salts, pH-adjusting agents, and other components to control rheological behaviour. The fracturing fluid is pumped deep into a well at high pressure to crack the shale layer in order to access the natural gas. Once the fractures are formed, proppants, usually crystalline silica, keep them open, filling in the cracks created to allow the proper flow of hydrocarbons. This research explores the rheological properties of XLFC-1B polymer (gel-forming) and a borate complex (crosslinker XLW-56) as additives solutions, existing components used in hydraulic fracturing using local sands, including aoelian and quarries sands. Tests have shown that liquids exhibit viscoelastic behavior that allows them to hold the proppants and place them in fractures. It must also be established that these fluids ' minimal stress allows the liquid to flow.