Abstract

A new laboratory has been constructed with test equipment designed to expose
foam fracturing fluids to test conditions simulating treatment conditions of shear,
time, temperature and pressure during the tests. The goal for designing this
laboratory was to simulate treating and downhole conditions as closely as possible
and to determine fracturing foam properties under these conditions. This paper
describes the design parameters and equipment in this unique laboratory.
parameters and equipment in this unique laboratory

Introduction

Foamed fracturing fluids were introduced in 1974 by Blauer and Durborow and
Blauer and Kohlhaas. Many cave reported the rheological properties of foams.
Foams discussed in these papers were generated in laboratory equipment under a
variety of conditions. The authors recognized the importance of the gas total
volume ratio (GVR) and made an effort to include pressure in procedures. Their
primary goal was to test the properties of foams. It was assumed that "foam was
foam," thus the method of generating foam was secondary to the measurement of
foam properties. This rationale was probably satisfactory for properties. This
rationale was probably satisfactory for early foam systems which consisted of
foaming agent and water. In more recent work, rheology and fluid leakoff tests have
been conducted under more realistic test conditions, i.e., adding temperature and
time, and acknowledging that shear conditions play a role in the results obtained.

With the introduction of polymeric stabilizers to foamed fracturing fluids, the

importance of simulating mixing and preparation procedures was recognized.
Incorporating crosslinked polymers as stabilizers has made it imperative to simulate
shear history, as well as all of the other conditions, i.e., time, temperature, pressure
and GVR.

Another important condition is bubble-size distribution. Preliminary studies of the

effect the velocity of the gas-liquid stream has on foam properties showed that
turbulence plays a major role in bubble-size distribution. The study will be continued
by determining the bubble-size distribution which occurs in actual foam fracturing
treatments. Foams which have similar bubble size will be created and tested in the
laboratory.

Discussion

The foam fracturing laboratory described here is, in effect, a simulated well above
ground where measurements and observations of foam under downhole conditions
can be made. It is constructed of high-pressure stainless steel tubing in which shear
rates and residence times encountered during a foam fracturing treatment can be
duplicated. It is designed for studying the rheological properties of foams to 10,000
psi (68.9 MPa), temperatures to 400F (204C) and shear rates well in excess of
treating conditions.

The preparation of fluids, introduction of additives and mixing of gas and liquid
streams closely follow the shear conditions present in field operations. In order to
simulate shear history, a 1,200-ft (394-m) Wellbore Simulator loop provides the
ability to subject foamed fracturing fluids to shear rates and times which occur in
pumping foam from the surface to the producing zone. A high-temperature heat
exchanger is used to raise foam temperatures to 400F (204C). Rheological
properties are measured in a Tube Rheometer consisting of four tubes.

High-pressure view cells, observed with a microscope and video camera, provide
viewing of the foam and bubble-size determination at both the foam generator
before it passes through the test devices and at the cooler after it has been through
the equipment.

The effect of time on the rheology of foam at low shear rates, elevated
temperatures and pressure, such as occurs in a fracture, is measured in the Fracture
Simulator. Dynamic fluid loss and formation damage are also determined in this
equipment. A volume of foam is reciprocated at a controlled shear rate through a
fixed length of tubing and a fluid-loss chamber.