Fracturing fluids including amine oxides as flowback aids

摘要

An aqueous fracturing fluid comprises an environmentally friendly flowback aid. The flowback aid includes an amine oxide having the formula (CH₃)NO(R₁)(R₂), where R₁ and R₂ are independently selected from linear or branched alkyl groups having from 8 to 16 carbon atoms. Optionally, the fracturing fluid may further comprise an alcohol ethoxylate of the formula R₃—(OC₂H₄)_x—OH, wherein R₃ is a linear or branched alkyl group having from 6 to 18 carbon atoms, and wherein x ranges from 3 to 25. One example of an amine oxide is didecylmethyl amine oxide, and one example of an alcohol ethoxylate is ethoxylated isodecylalcohol (also known as ethoxylated isodecanol). The fracturing fluid is introduced through a well bore into the subterranean formation and pressurized to fracture the subterranean formation. The fracturing fluid is then allowed to flow back into the well bore from the subterranean formation.