Research Status and Forecast of Synthetic Thickening Agents in Aqueous Fracturing Fluid

Recent progress in the research of three types of thickening agents in aqueous fracturing fluid were introduced,including polymer-free thickening agent systems,chemically cross-linked thickening agent systems with polymers and physically cross-linked thickening agent systems with polymers.The mechanisms for increasing the viscosity of the water-soluble components in the three types of thickening agents were discussed.Through analyzing and contrasting the main performances of the thickening agents,their application situations were summed up.The Fracturing fluid thickening agent systems with high thickening ability,low water-insoluble component content,good stability under high temperature and shearing,and low cost would be the development direction in future.