Description
A novel fluid additive that shows equivalent or lower viscosity and similar friction reduction as many polyacrylamides has been tested to evaluate its high suspension properties. API RP13 rotational rheology was measured to compare vs. a commercial High Viscosity Friction Reducer (HVFR) and evaluate with settling tests if viscosity helps to improve sand proppant carrying capacity. Settling tests were conducted using Multiple Light Scattering, which makes simpler and more accurate follow up of settling processes in transparent, translucent, and opaque media, providing data on average particle size and hydrodynamic parameters such as velocity of a moving front of decanting particles. As previous settling tests are run in static mode, an additional Slot Test was performed, showing no settling or Dune effect with proppant “turning the corner” throughout the whole circuit. Elastic (G’) and viscous (G”) modulus have been obtained with oscillatory rheometry and associated to static and dynamic suspension properties. No crossover with dominant G’ is a link to high suspension properties.