The Viscosity Variance of Gel Based Fracturing Fluid Due to Ions of Water

Abstract The design of the fracturing fluid is one of the elements that influence hydraulic fracturing success. Water-based fracturing fluid is currently the most extensively utilized type in the oil and gas industry. This form of fracturing fluid has the advantage of being convenient and cost-effective. However, in practice, it frequently causes issues due to the compatibility of the water and polymer used. Some types of water, such as seawater and production water, have a large number of ions, which might impact the viscosity of the fracturing fluid. The fracturing fluid viscosity characteristic is critical for fracturing and transferring sand or proppant. The fracturing fluid’s viscosity must meet the required minimum value. In this study, we will investigate the effect of barium ions from barium sulphate and potassium ions from potassium chloride on the viscosity of based gels containing Hydroxyl Propyl Guar (HPG) polymers. This study is expected to provide an overview of the influence of the ions contained in the seawater as well as the produced water on the viscosity of the resulting fluid. According to the study’s findings, barium ions have a tendency to reduce viscosity until 11 %, while potassium ions increase viscosity until 9%.