Development and Application of Water-Based Fracturing Fluid Thickeners: Advances and Perspectives

Abstract

As unconventional oil and gas development advances into deeper formations, extreme reservoir conditions, such as high temperatures and high salinities, impose increasingly stringent demands on the performance of fracturing fluids. Water-based fracturing fluids, because of their low cost and environmental friendliness, have become the primary technical system for reservoir stimulation. As the core component, the thickener directly determines the proppant carrying capacity, rheological behavior, and formation damage potential of the fracturing fluid. Thus, they play a critical role in the fracturing process. This paper first elucidates the thickening mechanism, proppant transport mechanism, gel-breaking, and flowback mechanisms, as well as the failure mechanisms under extreme conditions. This establishes a theoretical foundation for subsequent research on the thickener performance. The thickeners are systematically classified according to their chemical structures and mechanisms of action, followed by a comprehensive review of their molecular design strategies, modification approaches, performance characteristics, and their application potential. Furthermore, with reference to field cases from typical blocks, the applicability and field performance of various thickeners under complex working conditions were analyzed. Finally, future directions for thickener technology are proposed, aiming to broaden its application prospects in oilfield development and to provide theoretical support and design guidance for the development of fracturing fluid systems under complex geological conditions.