Effects of nanoparticles and surfactant charge groups on the properties of VES gel

Abstract

Application of viscoelastic surfactant (VES) fluids in hydraulic fracturing is still in the development stage, though shear thinning behavior and water solubility are the two important characteristics behind increasing interest in their use in fracturing jobs. Effects of ionic characteristics and the concentration of different surfactants on the rheological properties of VES fluid have been investigated in detail in the present study for a number of surfactant systems. Phase behavior of the system was studied and the gel region was identified. Effects of alkali on the viscosity, thermal stability, and miscibility (in water) of the developed gel were also investigated. Dynamic rheological study was carried out to determine the storage modulus and loss modulus. This study shows that mixed anionic-anionic system gives improved rheology compared to single anionic and mixed anionic-zwitterionic surfactant systems.