Open Access

ARTICLE

Performance Analysis of Foamed Fracturing Fluids Based on Microbial Polysaccharides and Surfactants in High-Temperature and High-Salinity Reservoirs

Zhiqiang Jiang¹, Zili Li¹, Bin Liang², Miao He¹, Weishou Hu³, Jun Tang³, Chao Song⁴, Nanxin Zheng^5,*

1 Oil & Gas Technology Research Institute, PetroChina Changqing Oilfield Company, Xi’an, 710018, China
2 Petrochina Jilin Oilfield Company, Songyuan, 138000, China
3 Sixth Gas Production Plant PetroChina Changqing Oilfield Company, Yan’an, 716009, China
4 CCDC Changqing Downhole Technology Company, Xi’an, 710018, China
5 National Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, 610500, China

* Corresponding Author: Nanxin Zheng. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Fluid and Thermal Dynamics in the Development of Unconventional Resources II)

Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing 2025, 21(6), 1397-1416. https://doi.org/10.32604/fdmp.2025.062737

Received 26 December 2024; Accepted 14 March 2025; Issue published 30 June 2025

Abstract

Microbial polysaccharides, due to their unique physicochemical properties, have been shown to effectively enhance the stability of foam fracturing fluids. However, the combined application of microbial polysaccharides and surfactants under high-temperature and high-salinity conditions remain poorly understood. In this study, we innovatively investigate this problem with a particular focus on foam stabilization mechanisms. By employing the Waring blender method, the optimal surfactant-microbial polysaccharide blends are identified, and the foam stability, rheological properties, and decay behavior in different systems under varying conditions are systematically analyzed for the first time. The results reveal that microbial polysaccharides significantly enhance foam stability by improving the viscoelasticity of the liquid films, particularly under high-salinity and high-temperature conditions, leading to notable improvements in both foam stability and sand-carrying capacity. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is used to observe the microstructure of the foam liquid films, demonstrating that the network structure formed by the foam stabilizer within the liquid film effectively inhibits foam coarsening. The Lauryl betaine and Diutan gum blend (LAB+MPS04) exhibits outstanding foam stability, superior sand-carrying capacity, and minimal core damage, making it ideal for applications in enhanced production and reservoir stimulation of unconventional reservoirs.

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Keywords

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