A new approach to predict field-scale performance of friction reducer based on laboratory measurements

Abstract Slickwater fracturing is typically applied to create a complex fracture network and improve the cost-effectiveness of hydrocarbon production from low-permeability reservoirs. The friction reducer, the major component of slickwater, can reduce frictional loss and enable a high pumping rate during fracturing. As the flow characteristics of slickwater in the field are difficult to simulate in the lab, it is imperative to develop a systematic evaluation method that can predict the field performance of the friction reducer to ensure a successful fracturing treatment. In this study, a friction loop testing platform is developed to accurately characterize the friction reduction property of a friction reducer within a wide range of Reynolds numbers. Long straight tubes with different diameters are installed in this platform to understand the impact of the tube wall for upscaling the diameter effect. Using this platform in the lab, various empirical or semi-empirical models for estimating friction factor are evaluated and compared for fluids with and without the selected friction reducer. The chosen models are further modified for improved prediction of the flow behaviors of both fluids in field pilot tests, and it shows that the prediction results agreed well with field-collected data. Thus, a robust upscaling method is proposed to predict the friction reduction property of the friction reducer in the field based on well-designed laboratory measurements.