Effect of Nanoparticle Shape on Viscoelastic Surfactant Performance at High Temperatures

作者：Ahmed Hanafy, Faisal Najem, H. A. Nasr‐El‐Din · 发表于：SPE Journal · 年份：2020 · DOI：10.2118/203836-pa · 被引用次数：18 · 研究领域：Surfactants and Colloidal Systems、Petroleum Processing and Analysis、Hydraulic Fracturing and Reservoir Analysis

Summary Viscoelastic surfactants (VESs) have been used for acid diversion and fracturing fluids. VESs were introduced because they are less damaging than polymers. VESs' high cost, low thermal stability, and incompatibility with several additives (e.g., corrosion inhibitors) limit their use. The goal of this study is to investigate the interaction of VES micelles with different nanoparticle shapes to reduce VES loadings and enhance their thermal stability. This work examined spherical and rod-shaped nanoparticles of silica and iron oxides. The effects of particle size, shape, and surface charge on a zwitterionic VES micellization were conducted. The physical properties were measured using ζ-potential, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The rheological performances of VES solutions were evaluated at 280 and 350°F using a high-pressure/high-temperature rotational rheometer. The proppant-carrying capacity of the fracturing fluids was evaluated using a high-pressure/high-temperature see-through cell and dynamic oscillatory viscometer. The fluid loss and formation damage were determined using corefloods and computed-tomography scans. The interaction between nanoparticles and VES is strongly dependent on the VES concentration, temperature, nanoparticle characteristics, and concentration. The spherical particles at 7-lbm/1,000 gal loading extended the VES-based-fluid thermal stability at VES loading of 4 wt% up to 350°F. The nanorods effectiv...