New Fracturing Fluid Viscosity Model to Cure Power Law Mistakes

Abstract Rheology of fracturing fluids described by power law model. The coeffects n and K of this model is using for all fracturing stimulators. Rheology measurements of real fracturing fluid frequently provide values with n >1, which is contradicted with Power Law model.Transfer this number to a fracturing simulator software gives wrong fracture simulation. The paper describes a new approach for modeling of fluid viscosity which resolves wrong assumptions of previously used model. Fluid viscosity measured with high-pressure-high-temperature (HPHT) rotational rheometer. The conventional fluid testing procedure based on ISO 13503-1 standard requirements provided erroneous and inexplicable results. The investigation of fluid rheological behavior was done by measurement of fluid viscosity in extended range of shear rates. Contrary to usual measurements of viscosity at 25, 50, 75 and 100 s-1, during this approach shear rates range was extended to 340 s-1 and 5 s-1. Fluid behavior was analyzed using log-log regression approach. Base on this analysis the corrected rheology numbers calculated and used tor a stimulation software. As a result of laboratory research, Power Law model inapplicability in several cases was confirmed. Number of rheological measurements revealed boundary conditions for implementation of Power Law model and enlighten the factors which causes non-linear relation of viscosity at log-log plot. It has been found that pH, temperature and polymer degrading material cause abnormal fluid behavior at 1-100 s-1 shear rates range. Therefore, limitations for measurements according to ISO 13503-1 standard was stated. Additionally, impact of recently introduced oil and gas producing companies’ fracturing fluid quality standards on fluid viscosity behavior was evaluated. It was revealed that tough requirements for fracturing fluid viscosity recovery after passing through high shear rate region provoke abnormal viscosity loss at low shear rates and errors in determination of consistency and behavior indexes. Finally impact of wrong data obtained with Power Law approximation on fracture geometry calculated with currently available fracturing simulators was estimated and requirements for next-generation fracturing simulators in terms of fluid viscosity modeling was claimed. The study shows weak points in implementation of currently used Power Law fluid viscosity model for fracturing simulation. Implementation of practices described in this study allow to either don't cross the border of power law model or to enrich fracturing simulators with more precise rheology model.