Inline Viscometers to determine Rheological Properties of Drilling and Fracturing Fluids

Brookfield Engineering Laboratories, Inc. (USA) has successfully provided its PVS pressurised rheometer to leading pressure pumping operations in Canada. The PVS and TT-100 inline viscometers will be on display at Global Petroleum June 9-11, 2015 at booth # 4223.

Well fracturing operations require proper rheology of the fracturing fluid. To optimise fracture operations, the fracturing fluid’s viscosity must be high enough under low shear conditions to suspend and carry proppant to the smallest crevices in the fractured rock. In addition, its viscosity must be low enough under high shear rates so that adequate flow to these newly fractured strata is obtained and the proppant is released.

As part of the laboratory development of the fluid, its rheology must be measured, evaluated, and understood over the majority of shear rates likely to be experienced at the well site so that an understanding of the fluid’s behavior is known before it is pumped through the system. This requires an easy to use computer based, software driven rheometer, like the Brookfield PVS, that measures viscosity under pressure, and in addition provides the means to test at different shear rates, time spans, temperatures, pressures, and provides data analysis and data recording capabilities.  

The TT-100 inline viscometer provides real-time, in-line measurements for gels moving in pressurised lines from the hydration unit before being pumped down-hole. It will continuously verify, at the well site, that the rheology of the fracturing fluid is within established specifications and provide an alarm indication when it is not, thus providing the means for precise, real time, viscosity control along with a complete and accurate record of the fracturing process. The result is reduced costs, less wear on equipment, and lower risk of damage to the formation.