ANNUAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE NORDIC RHEOLOGY SOCIETY, VOL. 19, 2011

Fracturing fluids play an important role in hydraulic fracturing treatments. The rheology of hydraulic fracturing fluids affects transport, suspension, and deposition of proppants, as well as flow back after placement. They should also be capable of developing the necessary fracture width to accept proppants or to allow deep acid penetration. Compatibility with formation fluids and material must also be taken into account. The rheology of fracturing fluids is fundamental for hydraulic fracturing design, i.e. prediction of fracture growth and geometry. Accurate measurements and good understanding of their rheological properties are essential for designing and executing an optimum treatment. Failure in selection of fracturing fluid will result in unsuccessful treatment in terms of reservoir conditions, oil production, and net present value. Borate cross-linked fluids have been widely used as a fracturing fluid in the oil industry. Experimental studies have been conducted to investigate the rheological properties of two borate cross-linked fluids. In this article the linear viscoelastic properties of these fracturing fluids are described in detail