Determination of Fluid Stability Criteria for Hydraulic Fracturing

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Abstract

The results of a study examining the effect of freshwater total hardness on the rheological properties of hydraulic fracturing fluids are presented. Currently, the primary type of process fluid used in hydraulic fracturing are water-based compounds – crosslinked guar systems. The advantages of these systems include high effective viscosity, which allows them to effectively retain proppant, and control the viscosity and degradation time of crosslinked systems. Studying the rheological properties of crosslinked gels allows us to evaluate the process parameters of the fluid and its suitability for each specific hydraulic fracturing process. Fresh water from three loading stations used to prepare hydraulic fracturing fluids in the Republic of Tatarstan was sampled for the study. Physicochemical analysis conducted from January to September 2025 revealed a higher total hardness level at loading station 2 compared to loading stations 1 and 3. Results from testing hydraulic fracturing fluids at these sources showed that as total water hardness increases above 500 mg/dm³, the stability of the cross-linked gel deteriorates and the degradation process accelerates, increasing the risk of process complications during hydraulic fracturing. To ensure the required properties of the cross-linked gel, dilution of the working concentrated breaker activator to 20, 30, and 40% is proposed. A series of laboratory studies to select the loading and concentration of the breaker activator confirms the potential for industrial use of a diluted 30% breaker activator for hydraulic fracturing processes. The need for continuous monitoring of water quality parameters that affect the rheological properties of hydraulic fracturing fluids and the parameters of cross-linked gels has been identified. This approach will significantly improve the efficiency of hydraulic fracturing processes and hydrocarbon production.

Keywords

wellhydraulic fracturinghydraulic fracturing fluidcross-linked gelfresh watermineralogical compositiondestructoroxidative destructordestructor activatordestructiondestruction timerheological parametersconcentrationcrackproppant

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Article information

Published
14 May 2026
Issue date
14 May 2026
Issue
Vol. 26, No. 2 (2026)
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