Evaluation of anionic and non-ionic surfactant performance for Montney shale gas hydraulic fracturing fluids

Abstract Hydraulic fracturing is often used in unconventional shale reservoirs, and 50%–95% of the injected hydraulic fluid remains formation due to capillary effect. This phenomenon has been observed Montney formation, Canada, where flowback water recovery generally less than 25%. Surfactant one additives for reducing surface tension forces facilitate recovery. loss adsorption by reservoir rocks reduces chemical’s efficiency, this causes retention The compatibility surfactant with rock critical minimize on because diminishes primary function additive ensure cost-effectiveness. study evaluates efficiency improve based IFT, tension, adsorption. performance performs a fluid–fluid interaction experiment fluid-rock investigation. Several commercial surfactants are screened low interfacial tension. Further analysis carried out evaluating using static soaking test at pressure temperature. pre-soaking post-soaking fluids were analyzed composition, liquid–liquid pH. Results showed that selected determiner performance. SOLOTERRA 938 an anionic good formation. Unlike other non-ionic surfactants, retains after seven days rock. remained unchanged 0.1 mN/m. decreased from 28.4 27.5 mN/m air 21.7 20.8 hydrocarbon behavior changes pH change. concentration was measured high-pressure liquid chromatography, 12% (from 0.088wt%). calculated volume value between 0.43 0.97 mg/g