Associative polymer fluid with clay nanoparticles for proppant suspension
Provided herein are methods systems and compositions of a fracturing fluid comprising an associative polymer and clay nanoparticles. A method may comprise: providing a fracturing fluid comprising: a carrier fluid; an associative polymer; and clay nanoparticles; and injecting the fracturing fluid into a subterranean formation at or above a fracture gradient.
1. A method comprising:
providing a fracturing fluid comprising:
a carrier fluid;
an associative polymer; and
clay nanoparticles; and
injecting the fracturing fluid into a subterranean formation at or above a fracture gradient, wherein the injecting comprises alternately injecting a proppant laden fluid and a proppant free fluid.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising hydrating the associative polymer prior to combining the associative polymer with the carrier fluid.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the carrier fluid comprises an aqueous fluid or a slickwater fluid.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the associative polymer comprises an acrylamide polymer, methacrylamide polymer, acrylate polymer, methacrylate polymer, or combinations thereof.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the associative polymer comprises at least one hydrophobe.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the at least one hydrophobe comprises from 1 to 24 carbons.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the clay nanoparticles comprise hectorite, smectite, or combinations thereof.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the clay nanoparticles are present in an amount of about 0.5% to about 10% by weight of the associative polymer.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the clay nanoparticles have a mean particle size of less than 200 nm.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the fracturing fluid further comprises a proppant.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the proppant is suspended in solution for 16 hours.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the subterranean formation comprises at least one zone comprising a temperature of 200° F.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of injecting comprises injecting into a tubular penetrating a subterranean formation, wherein the tubular is connected to a pump configured to deliver the fracturing fluid though the tubular into the subterranean formation.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing comprises hydrating the associative polymer.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the associative polymer is hydrated in a hydration tank.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the associative polymer is present in an amount of about 1 lb/1000 gal to about 30 lb/1000 gal.
17. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing a spacer fluid, and alternately injecting the spacer fluid and the fracturing fluid into a fracture.
18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising transporting the fracturing fluid through a tubular into the subterranean formation and transporting the spacer fluid through an annulus between the tubular and the subterranean formation.
19. The method of claim 17 , wherein both the fracturing fluid and the spacer fluid are transported into the subterranean formation through the same tubular.
20. The method of claim 1 , further comprising flowing back the fracturing fluid and removing at least a portion of the fracturing fluid.