The application of slickwater fracturing fluids originated from the observation of high friction pressure when using plain water for fracturing. Its subsequent rapid development was driven by its effectiveness in shale gas fracturing operations. Slickwater fracturing fluids are primarily categorized into natural guar gum-based and synthetic polymer-based types, both of which have seen extensive application and development in fracturing processes globally.
Key Historical Developments:
1963: Savins first defined the term “friction reduction,” explaining that adding specific additives to water could effectively reduce frictional losses in pipelines.
1997: Mitchell Energy successfully utilized slickwater fracturing fluid in Texas shale oil and gas extraction, achieving improved production results and significantly lowering costs.
2009: Aften C. et al. developed a polyacrylamide friction reducer. Dissolving it in fresh water increased friction reduction by approximately 29%, while in a 2% KCl solution, the reduction rate improved by about 119%.
2010: Bell C. E. developed a novel slickwater fracturing fluid system with excellent friction reduction and proppant-carrying capacity, maintaining stable performance even in turbulent flow.
2011: Brannon et al. created a variable-viscosity slickwater system, combining the advantages of slickwater and conventional cross-linked systems, offering enhanced reservoir stimulation capability.
2016: Brun N. L. et al. introduced the salt-tolerant functional group 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) into the acrylamide monomer for copolymerization, resulting in a salt-resistant polymer.
Development in China:
Research on friction reducers started later in China. From 1998 onwards, slickwater fracturing fluids saw widespread application, in some cases outperforming guar gum-based fluids.
2010: Inspired by international polyacrylamide friction reduction concepts, China’s first shale gas well, Wei 201, successfully used slickwater for the first time during its fracturing operation. As technology advanced, the role of friction reducers became increasingly critical. The primary approach focused on enhancing the molecular weight and strengthening the molecular structure of polyacrylamide to improve performance. Researchers like Wen Xiaoyong added salt-tolerant groups to the polyacrylamide molecule, successfully developing the salt-resistant friction reducer GHR-1, making it more suitable for deep shale gas development.
Recent Trends and Innovations:
Recent years have seen a shift towards developing cleaner, environmentally friendly, high-performance slickwater fracturing fluids that cause minimal reservoir damage.
2015: Yu Weichu et al. developed a green, clean nano-composite friction reducer, JHFR-2. At concentrations between 1000-2000 mg/L, it achieved a friction reduction rate exceeding 70%.
2020: Zhang Yang et al. developed a compound friction reducer system consisting of the low-molecular-weight friction reducer FJZ-2 and the emulsion polymer viscosifier FZN-1. This system demonstrates good compatibility with additives like flowback aids and clay stabilizers. It possesses certain proppant-carrying capacity, viscoelasticity, and friction reduction properties, showing excellent application results in shale gas reservoirs.
Post time: Oct-31-2025