Fracturing Fluid Additives for Oil and Gas Wells

DESCRIPTION
Microencapsulated potassium persulfate (MicroKP) is a product used primarily by oil and gas service companies as an additive for gas and oil well stimulation. The product comprises small bi-component particles with the persulfate as a core material surrounded by an outer shell or capsule wall. Potassium persulfate is an inorganic water-soluble, strong oxidizing material. The capsule wall is an inert, very stable polymer or plastic.

APPLICATIONS
Microencapsulated persulfate products are used by oil and gas service companies as an additive in fracturing fluids for gas and oil well stimulation. Fracturing is a process of injecting large volumes of fluid into a well at high pressures to crack rock formations and create fissures for increased production of oil and gas. The fluids typically consists of: a “propping agent”, like sand, to keep the fracture from closing when the pressure is released, a polymeric gelling agent (viscosity builder) to keep the sand suspended in the fluid, and a reactive material like persulfate oxidizers, to break down the gelling agent so it is more easily flushed from the fracture to allow for better oil and gas flow.

PROPERTIES
The microencapsulated product exhibits the following general properties:

• Off-white to slightly yellow color
• Dry free-flowing powder or granules
• Capsule composition: 90 – 95 wt.% KP and 5 – 10 wt.% polymer shell
• Particle size: typical distribution in range of 100 – 400 microns
• Stability: extremely stable in water at ambient temperatures – very little release of the KP from the microcapsule.