«Proceedings of Gubkin University»

Study of surfactant-based hydraulic fracturing gels using computer modeling methods

UDC: 622.276.64
DOI: -

Authors:

¹ National University of Oil and Gas “Gubkin University”, Moscow, Russian Federation

Keywords: computer modeling, rheology, surfactants, hydraulic fracturing fluids

Annotation:

This paper presents a study of pseudodimeric surfactants free from organochlorine compounds as promising gelling agents for hydraulic fracturing. A combination of methods was used to investigate the properties of pseudodimeric surfactant-based fracturing fluids, including rheological studies (rotational and oscillatory rheometry) and computer modeling. Computer modeling elucidated the principles of micellar aggregate formation in these surfactants and revealed structural features of the micelles under varying acidity conditions. pH values corresponding to the formation of gels with maximum structural and rheological properties were identified; under these conditions, modeling results demonstrated the formation of cylindrical micelle systems. All tested pseudodimeric surfactant samples exhibited gel-forming ability and pH-dependent rheological behavior, justifying their consideration as diverting agents for controlled acidizing operations. Pseudodimeric surfactants based on oxalic and maleic acids demonstrated the highest efficiency as base components for fracturing fluids. The results confirmed the effectiveness of computer modeling methods in developing hydraulic fracturing fluid formulations.

Bibliography:

1. Structure and Rheology of Wormlike Micelles Formed by Fluorocarbon-Hydrocarbon-Type Hybrid Gemini Surfactant in Aqueous Solution / K. Morishima [et al.] // Langmuir. American Chemical Society. – 2017. – T. 33, № 24. – P. 6084–6091.
2. Wormlike Micelles of a Cationic Surfactant in Polar Organic Solvents: Extending Surfactant Self-Assembly to New Systems and Subzero Temperatures / N.R. Agrawal [et al.] // Langmuir. American Chemical Society. – 2019. – T. 35, № 39. – P. 12782–12791.
3. Self-assembly properties of ultra-long-chain gemini surfactant with high performance in a fracturing fluid application / C. Yang [et al.] // J. Appl. Polym. Sci. John Wiley and Sons Inc. – 2017. – T. 134, № 11.
4. Salinity- and Heat-Tolerant VES (Viscoelastic Surfactant) Clean Fracturing Fluids Strengthened by a Hydrophobic Copolymer with Extremely Low Damage / J. Tian [et al.] // Chemistry Select. John Wiley and Sons Inc. – 2021. – T. 6, № 9. – P. 2126–2143.
5. Aktual’nye voprosy opredeleniya hlororganicheskih soedinenij v himreagentah, primenyayu-shchihsya v processah dobychi i transportirovki nefti. – URL: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/aktualnye-voprosy-opredeleniya-hlororganicheskih-soedineniy-v-himreagentah-primenyayuschihsya-v-protsessah-dobychi-i/viewer (data obrashcheniya: 23.07.2025).
6. Chu Z., Feng Y. PH-switchable wormlike micelles // Chemical Communications. Royal Society of Chemistry. – 2010. – T. 46, № 47. – P. 9028–9030.
7. pH-Responsive clean fracturing fluid based on pseudo-trimeric surfactants / T. Yin [et al.] // Colloid Polym. Sci. Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH. – 2023. – T. 301, № 3. – P. 189–197.
8. pH-Switchable wormlike micelles with high viscoelasticity formed by pseudo-oligomeric surfactants / P. Liu [et al.] // J. Mol. Liq. Elsevier B.V. – 2021. – T. 334.
9. A pH-responsive anionic wormlike micelle based on ion release effect of phosphate / W. Kang [et al.] // J. Mol. Liq. Elsevier B.V. – 2019. – T. 286.
10. Feng Y., Chu Z. pH-Tunable wormlike micelles based on an ultra-long-chain “pseudo” gemini surfactant // Soft Matter. Royal Society of Chemistry. – 2015. – T. 11, № 23. – P. 4614–4620.
11. Effects of Hydrogen Bonds between Ethoxylated Alcohols and Sodium Oleate on Collecting Performance in Flotation of Quartz / N. Zhang [et al.] // Molecules. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). – 2023. – T. 28, № 19.
12. Hooked gemini viscoelastic surfactant based on linolenic oil for oil recovery and its various gel-breaking mechanisms / C. Wang [et al.] // J. Pet. Sci. Eng. Elsevier B.V. – 2021. – T. 204.
13. Critical micelle concentration of an ammonium salt through DPD simulations using COSMO-RS-based interaction parameters / R. Oviedo-Roa [et al.] // AIChE Journal. – 2013. – T. 59, № 11. – P. 4413–4423.
14. Parameterization of a mesoscopic model for the self-assembly of linear sodium alkyl sulfates / Z. Mai [et al.] // Journal of Chemical Physics. American Institute of Physics Inc. – 2014. – T. 140, № 20.
15. Comprehensive review of the interfacial behavior of water/oil/surfactant systems using dissipative particle dynamics simulation / M. Ahmadi [et al.] // Advances in Colloid and Interface Science. Elsevier B.V. – 2022. – T. 309.
16. Dissipative particle dynamics simulation and experimental studies of pseudo-gemini surfactants with different hydrophobic chain lengths / E.E. Hasanov [et al.] // J. Mol. Liq. Elsevier B.V. – 2024. – T. 411.
17. Dissipative particle dynamics simulation and experimental analysis of effects of Gemini surfactants with different spacer lengths on stability of emulsion systems / D. Han [et al.] // Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp. Elsevier B.V. – 2022. – T. 655.
18. Issledovanie vodnyh rastvorov gidrolizovannogo poliakrilamida s pomoshch’yu oscillyacionnogo testa: vybor optimal’nyh parametrov / M.A. Silin [i dr.] // Trudy Rossijskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta nefti i gaza imeni I.M. Gubkina. – 2025. – № 2. – S. 148–163.
19. Osobennosti reologicheskih issledovanij vodnyh rastvorov poliakrilamida na viskozimetrah rotacionnogo tipa / L.A. Magadova [i dr.] // Trudy Rossijskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta nefti i gaza imeni I.M. Gubkina. – 2021. – № 3 (304). – S. 115–128. – DOI: 10.33285/2073-9028-2021-3(304)-115-128
20. Razrabotka vyazkouprugoj kompozicii na osnove poverhnostno-aktivnyh veshchestv dlya gidravlicheskogo razryva plasta / M.A. Silin [i dr.] // Trudy Rossijskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta nefti i gaza imeni I.M. Gubkina. – 2020. – № 1 (298). – S. 142–154. – DOI: 10.33285/2073-9028-2020-1(298)-142-154