PEG‐based polymer coated proppants in supercritical CO2: A new approach in current fracturing protocols. Issue 1 (10th October 2022) - Pramanik, Nabendu B.
Abstract: Liquified carbon dioxide (CO2 ) can be used in hydraulic fracturing fluids to provide nonaqueous alternatives to conventional water‐based fluids as it is more environmentally benign and minimizing depletion of natural‐source freshwater. However, conventional CO2 ‐based fluids are not sufficiently viscous to suspend proppants that are added to fracturing fluids to hold open subterranean fractures. Because of this reduced ability to suspend proppants, CO2 ‐based fluids have not found its niche yet as future fracturing fluids. Accordingly, a need exists for nonaqueous hydraulic fracturing fluids that adequately support and suspend proppant particles. The present study presents a green alternative of developing a poly(ethylene glycol) based polymers coated proppants which can swell in supercritical CO2 so as to decrease the entire density of the proppant during fracturing process. Abstract :