Bacteria Problems in Fracturing Gels

Bulletin Published January 1992 (updated March 2006)

Discussion

Bacteria have a long history of causing viscosity instability in batch mixed gels. In fact,
when in a favorable environment, sufficient numbers of bacteria can be the chief cause of
gel degradation.

The loss of viscosity in batch mixed fracturing gels due to bacteria is a potential problem
in all areas. The problem is generally the most severe in the summer months, since
bacteria are most active in fluids at temperatures of 60° to 100°F. By better
understanding how bacteria function, many of these problems can be avoided.

Bacteria and/or their spore are transported by air. Thus, one can assume that they are
everywhere. Their population increase follows a geometric progression: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32,
etc. The time required for each doubling of the population is dependent on the type of
bacteria, temperature, available food, and other environmental conditions. Under ideal
conditions, some bacteria can double their population in less than an hour.

The most favorable environment for bacteria are dirty frac tanks and mixing water. Dirty
frac tanks often contain several gallons of bacteria-ridden decomposed gel from previous
jobs. When new gel is added, the bacteria have a new food source. And when their
environment becomes more favorable, some species may even attain maximum
concentration within twenty-four hours.

The important consideration is not if bacteria are present, but how many. When the tanks
are clean and city water is used for mixing, it may require several days for bacteria to
develop to the point where the viscosity of the gel is affected. Under these conditions, the
addition of a biostat can provide long term protection.

The other extreme occurs when the tanks are gelled in the morning, and broken before
they can be pumped that afternoon. This results when the initial concentration of bacteria
is very high.

The two most common causes are

 1. Contaminated mixing water

2. Gel from a previous treatment left to rot in the bottom of the tanks

In both of these conditions, the bacteria are already present, and the gel acts as a food
supply. Bacteria feed on gels by releasing enzymes. The enzymes degrade the gels to
sugars, and the bacteria absorb the sugar through their cell walls. The enzymes released
are very similar to our low temperature breaker GBW-30. Thus, the biocides we use (BE-
3S and BE-6) will not destroy any released enzymes at normal concentrations. However,
the high concentration provided when biocide is added as the tank is filled with water
effectively controls the enzymes as well as bacteria.

Some of the solutions to the problem are obvious-clean tanks and pure water.

Handling of the biocide used is also very important. It should be added with the first load
of mixing water as the tank is filled. This provides a very high concentration of biocide in
the bottom of the tank, where it is often most needed. Also, it treats all of the mixing
water as the tank is filled, and before the addition of gel.

The terms biocide and biostat (or bactericide and bacteriastat) should be explained. A
biocide is a product that causes the cessation of life; in the case of a bactericide it is a
product that kills bacteria. BE-3S and BE-6 are biocides. A biostat is a product that
prevents an increase in the population of a life species; in the case of a bacteriastat, it is
a product that prevents a bacteria species from increasing in number. BE-6 is a
bacteriastat

A product may fall into one or both of these categories. The addition of the biocide BE-3S
to water containing bacteria will cause a rapid decrease in the number of live bacteria, but
BE-3S has a short half-life and does not provide long-term protection. This means that
frac tanks that sit on location for extended periods may be subject to reinoculation of
bacteria strains and may need to be retreated before mixing gels. The addition of the
biocide BE-6 to water containing bacteria will cause a slow decrease in the number of live
bacteria, but since BE-6 is also a bacteriastat, it provides long term protection against
bacteria strains repopulating a frac tank. With a slow kill rate, BE-6 may not be the
biocide of choice for frac tanks that have an established bacteria colony if the gel is to be
mixed only a short time after addition of the BE-6 to the mix water. Reference the manual
inserts for the selection of the proper biocide

More than 1,500 different kinds, or strains, of bacteria have been classified. Many
hundreds have not. They are among the simplest form of nonvegetative organisms.
Because they are living, they have similar needs as other forms of life; a source of
energy, carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus, metallic element, vitamins, and water.

Remember also that they can adapt to changing environments.

z Aerobic bacteria grow in the presence of oxygen.

z Anaerobic bacteria grow in the absence of oxygen.
z SSome bacteria thrive in very low temperatures, while others do not.
z Various bacteria may thrive in various pH ranges.
Advantages of Bacteria Control

1. Proper use of biocides or fluid pH control and adjustment can reduce premature gel
degradation caused by bacteria.

2. Reduces time required to obtain new base fluid and re-gel tanks caused when
untreated fluid was used.

3. Reduces treatment costs related to regelling, disposal of broken gel, etc.

4. If clean water is unavailable, it may be possible to adequately treat for bacteria.

Disadvantages of Bacteria Control

1. Present materials are not universal in their ability to control all strains of bacteria
encountered in oil-field waters.

2. Lab testing is required of each water source to determine proper treatment type
and concentration of additives.

3. Proper use of biocide and careful application of pH controlling chemicals is required

so that they don't cause premature gel breaks or over stabilization of the gel.

4. Time and personnel required to see that biocide is added to the tank prior to filling.
Chemicals Used

Be-3S:

A white solid. Normally used at 3 lb per 20,000 gal. (0.15 lb per 1,000 gal)

BE-6:

A white solid. Normally used at 3 lb per 20,000 gal.(0.15 lb per 1,000 gal)

Critical Factors to Remember in Caustic Treatment

1. Do not omit bactericide pretreatment.

2. Fluid pH must be greater than 11.

 3. Caustic must be equally dispersed throughout the water in the tank.

4. Enough time must be allowed to ensure bacteria kill and enzyme degradation.

General Procedure

If the tanks are full of contaminated water which causes the gel to break before building
normal viscosity, the following steps may be taken.

1. Raise the pH of the fluid in each tank to be treated to a pH of 11 or greater with

caustic and hold for a minimum of two hours. This will normally require about 2 to
3 lb or 8 gal of 50% liquid caustic per 1,000 gal to adjust the pH. The exact
amount will depend on the type and concentration of any buffers in the water. This
will destroy both the bacteria and their enzymes. Add the caustic at the blender
while circulating the water to ensure equal dispersion throughout the tank. Note:
Follow normal safety recommendations for handling caustic.

2. KCl may be added to the water while the caustic is being added. If after rolling a
tank over one tank volume the pH is less than 11.0, roll in more caustic. The
attainment of a pH greater than 11.0 is highly critical. Add more caustic in
amounts that can be easily duplicated in remaining tanks. For example, add ¼ bag
increments of the solid or 2 gal increments of the liquid. Record the amount of
caustic added.

3. After the pH of the water is greater than 11.0 throughout the tank, allow it to sit
for a minimum of two hours, preferably overnight. This increases the probability of
a + 99% bacterial kill. Although less time is required for a +90% kill, the
remaining 10% bacteria is more than enough to initiate gel degradation within a
few hours, especially at temperatures of 80° to 100°F.

4. The fluid pH can now be lowered to a pH of approximately 7 with about 0.5 to 1 gal
of 20° Baume hydrochloric acid per 1,000 gal.

5. Final adjustment of fluid pH can be made with BA-20 to obtain the optimum pH
range for the particular gelling agent to be mixed.

If the tanks have already been gelled and the gel is being destroyed by bacteria, the
following steps should be taken.

1. Raise the pH of the fluid in each tank to be treated to a pH of 11 or greater with

caustic and hold for a minimum of two hours. This will normally require about 2 to
3 lb or 8 gal of 50% liquid caustic per 1,000 gal to adjust the pH. The exact
amount will depend on the type and concentration of buffers already added to the
water when it was initially gelled. This will destroy both the bacteria and their
enzymes.

Note: Follow normal safety recommendations for handling caustic.

2. The fluid pH should be lowered to near the final desired pH value with
approximately 0.5 to 1 gal of 20° Baume hydrochloric acid per 1,000 gal. The final
pH will depend on the fracturing fluid process being used.
 3. If it is necessary to make a final adjustment in fluid pH, BA-20 can be used to
lower the pH or BA-40L can be used to raise the pH.

Note 1: Using HCl as Buffer

Use of HCl as a single component to lower pH is not recommended due to the lack of
buffer capacity in the pH range 2 to 11. It can, however, be used successfully combined
with a minimum of 10 lb K-34/ Mgal. (See Figure 6.) If HCl is used, comply with
Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations.

Note 2: Using Buffers in General

The amount of buffers needed to get a desired pH for gelling procedures with caustic
decreases each day the caustic-treated water stands. This is because caustic solutions
have the inherent ability to absorb CO2 and convert it to sodium bicarbonate and
carbonate thus lowering the pH of the fluid. This means the data supplied on buffer
amounts to use for pH adjustment will be valid for approximately two days after treating
the water with caustic. Therefore, conduct pilot tests using caustic treated water from
location if more than two days have expired. Conduct these tests within 24 hours of
gelling to determine the exact amount of pH control agents required. This is especially
important when HCl is used, since overtreatment with HCl can easily produce a pH less
than 3.

Note 3

Don't Top Off Tanks with Unsterilized Water:

Instead, top off tanks with extra caustic-treated water from additional tanks and adjust
the pH to 7 with a suitable buffer.

Long Term Gel Preservation after a Caustic Treatment:

Once the caustic treating process has been completed, the water is sterilized. However,
once the pH is lowered, bacterial contamination can be introduced from sources such as
the blender, hoses, some gelling agents, and even the air if adequate bactericide is not
present to provide bacteriostatic control. If BE-3S was the bactericide used in the
pretreatment, it is degraded by the caustic treatment, and more bactericide should be
added.

Preventing Bacteria Contamination after Caustic Treatment:

To prevent contamination after sterilization, add BE-6 as a bacteriostat.

Curves for Caustic Treatment

Figures 1 to 6 show the amount of buffering agents required to adjust the pH of the
fracturing fluid to the desired range after a caustic treatment. They show pH adjustment
for adding one to two sacks of caustic (8 to 16 gal of 50% caustic solution) per 500 bbl
tank. The buffer is added in ¼ sack increments as shown on the bottom scale of the
graphs.

z 1 sack = 8 gal of liquid = 2.5 lb/Mgal*

z 1 1/4 sacks = 10 gal of liquid = 3.1 lb/Mgal*
z 1 1/2 sacks = 12 gal of liquid = 3.75 lb/Mgal*
z 2 sacks = 16 gal of liquid = 5 lb/Mgal*

*Assuming a 500 bbl tank.

Figures 1 to 4 show a pH adjustment using various amounts of K-34 when added in

combination with HYG-3.

Figure 5 shows a pH adjustment using various amounts of FE-1A.

Figure 6 shows a pH adjustment using various amounts of HCl with K-34.

Figure 1: HYG-3 and K-34 with 2.5 lb NaOH Mgal.

Figure 2: HYG-3 and K-34 with 3.125 lb NaOH Mgal.
Figure 3: HYG-3 and K-34 with 3.75 lb NaOH Mgal.
Figure 4: HYG-3 and K-34 with 3.125 lb NaOH Mgal.
Figure 5: FE-1A with 2.5 to 5.0 lb NaOH Mgal.
Figure 6: HCl with 2.5 to 5.0 lb NaOH and 10 lb K-34 Mgal.
Safety Precautions

The chemicals used in controlling bacteria in fracturing fluids should not be taken
internally or allowed to enter the eyes.

The usual safety precautions for handling "dusting" materials, such as wearing goggles,
should be observed for handling BE-6, K-34, and caustic soda.

20° Be HCl is acid and should not be allowed to contact the skin, eyes, or taken internally.
In the event it contacts the skin or enters the eyes, rinse immediately with large
quantities of fresh water. Remove any contaminated clothing.

First Aid In Case of Acid Burns

z Wash contacted area with a dilute solution of sodium bicarbonate (K-34 or baking
soda) or carbonate solution. Then, flush exposed area with large amounts of
water.
z Application of a burn ointment is recommended if stinging or burning persists.
z Contact a doctor after initial first aid for severe burn.
Do not allow flakes or granules of sodium hydroxide to lump in the water.

A violent reaction and temperature rise is possible if large lumps of the flakes or granules
are placed in the water without sufficient agitation. Always add the dry flake caustic
slowly to the water. Also, do not add water to dry caustic. The sodium hydroxide (caustic)
or the 50/50 solution should be handled with extreme care.

Do not let caustic contact skin or eyes.

Always wear goggles and gloves when handling this material.

Send questions or comments about this site

to Halliburton Service Center or
www.Halliburton.com call U.S. (877) 263-6071 or outside U.S.
(281) 983-4900.
Copyright © 2008 Halliburton. All Rights
10/21/2008 Reserved.
Terms and Conditions Privacy