Experimental Study on the Impact of Phase-Change Self-Propping Fracturing Fluid on Reservoir Invasion Damage

Hydraulic fracturing is crucial for the effective development of unconventional oil and gas reservoirs. This paper systematically reviews the damage issues caused by conventional fracturing fluids in tight unconventional reservoirs, highlighting problems such as significant formation damage and high risks of scale deposition and plugging. To address these shortcomings, a phase-change self-propping fracturing fluid is proposed and compared with a guar gum fracturing fluid and slickwater fracturing fluid. The self-propping fluid offers advantages of low damage and low fluid loss. It can undergo a phase transition to form solid particles that effectively prop the fractures, thereby significantly reducing damage such as reservoir pore structure blockage. This study demonstrates that the phase-change self-propping fracturing fluid is well-suited for tight, low-permeability reservoirs due to its ability to minimize formation damage. Furthermore, the reservoir damage evaluation methodology established in this work provides an effective means for analyzing damage mechanisms and assessing effectiveness during the fracturing process.