Simulation of Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid-Flow Dynamics Using High-Pressure Microfluidic Devices With Different Chemistries

在加拿大，水力压裂被广泛用于提高致密油的产量。水力压裂作业后的一个关键问题是如何最大限度地提高后续产油量。我们之前的NSERC Engage Grant通过进行微模型流动测试来研究水力压裂处理后石油的流动情况。利用阿尔伯塔大学设计和构建的微观模型，我们探索了微观尺度下控制油/增产液流动行为的机制。在NSERC Engage基金的支持下，我们获得了关于压裂液和油在微观模型中的微观流动行为的有用数据。然而，由于阿尔伯塔大学制造的微模型的低压等级，这些先前的测试是在低压环境下进行的。作为该项目的延续，拟议的NSERC CRD拨款将使用高压微观模型来研究压裂液和油的微观流动行为。研究结果将帮助Fusion Technologies Inc.改进现有的压裂液配方，并开发新的压裂液配方，以更有效地开采加拿大西部大量致密油。

Hydraulic fracturing has been widely used to stimulate the production of tight oil in Canada. One critical issue following hydraulic fracturing operation is how to maximize the subsequent oil production. Our previous NSERC Engage Grant looked at how oil flow ensues after the hydraulic fracturing treatments by conducting micromodel flow tests. With the micromodels designed and built at the University of Alberta, we explored the mechanisms that govern the oil/stimulation fluid flow behavior at a microscopic scale. Supported by the NSERC Engage grant, we have obtained useful data on the microscopic flow behavior of fracturing fluids and oil inside a micromodel. However, these previous tests were conducted under a low pressure environment due to the low pressure rating of the micromodels fabricated at the University of Alberta. As a continuation of this project, the proposed NSERC CRD grant will use a high-pressure micromodel to study the microscopic flow behavior of fracturing fluids and oil. The research results will help Fusion Technologies Inc. to improve their existing fracturing fluid formulations as well as develop new ones that can be used to more effectively produce the vast amount of tight oil available in western Canada.