Composition of Fracturing Flowback Fluid and Efficient Treatment Technologies
Composition of fracturing flowback fluid
The mixture of liquid that returns to the surface from the wellbore after fracturing operations are completed is collectively called fracturing flowback fluid. Its composition mainly includes the following parts:
Post-operation flowback of fracturing fluid and breaker fluid: this is the main component of such waste liquid. During fracturing operations, to improve reservoir permeability, high-pressure working fluid (i.e., fracturing fluid) is injected downhole. After entering the formation, the polymers it contains (such as guar gum) degrade under formation temperature, turning into breaker fluid. After the stimulation task is completed, this breaker fluid mixes with crude oil, water and other substances in the formation and is discharged to the surface together.
Residual base fluid that did not enter the formation: the fracturing fluid must be prepared before pumping, during which various chemical additives (such as preservatives and breakers) are added to adjust its performance. After the operation, the original gel fluid (i.e., base fluid) that did not enter the formation also flows back to the surface along with the breaker fluid.
Wastewater from well-flushing operations: before and after fracturing, the wellbore is usually cleaned with activated water to remove impurities and residues. This operation produces a large amount of wastewater that eventually joins the flowback fluid system.
Other mixed liquids: in addition, the flowback fluid may also include formation water, rainwater and other liquids that mixed in during operations, together forming the final surface discharge.
Characteristics of fracturing flowback fluid
Complex composition:Fracturing flowback fluid contains a variety of pollutants, including oil, suspended solids (SS), guar gum and various chemical additives; these pollutants are numerous in type and high in concentration.
High viscosity and severe emulsification:The viscosity of fracturing flowback fluid is relatively high and the degree of emulsification is high, making separation difficult. The viscosity of some flowback fluids can reach 10-20 mPa·s; severe emulsification makes the discharged fracturing wastewater viscous with a pungent odor.
Large fluctuations in water quality and volume:The water quality and volume of fracturing flowback fluid often fluctuate considerably, placing high demands on the shock resistance and stability of treatment equipment.
Difficult to treat:Because fracturing flowback fluid contains many types of organics in high concentrations, and has a high COD (chemical oxygen demand), TDS (total dissolved solids) and TSS (total suspended solids), it is difficult to treat and the treatment cost is relatively high.
SINOKLE process
CDOF and CDFUpatented technology as the core treatment equipment, combined with high-efficiency filtration and fine filtration technology, achieves efficient and rapid treatment of fracturing flowback fluid and ensures the effluent meets the customer's on-site treatment requirements.
Based on many years of oil and gas field development and production practice, SINOKLE has formed a fracturing flowback fluid treatment and comprehensive utilization solution based on full life-cycle water resource analysis in oil and gas field development, and has independently developed flowback fluid reuse and reinjection treatment technologies with multiple invention patents, meeting the treatment needs of different customers and different water qualities.
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