Shale gas fracturing using foam-based fracturing fluid: a review

Abstract

World energy resources are depleting at an alarming rate, and natural gas has been identified as an environmentally friendly energy resource, with shale gas being one option. However, the extremely low permeability of shale plays has caused them to fail to produce a commercially viable amount of gas. Therefore, appropriate production enhancement techniques, including hydro-fracturing, are required. This paper reviews the research on shale gas production enhancement using foam-based hydro-fracturing and focuses on research on shale deposit distribution around the world, the importance of shale gas recovery, major shale gas recovery enhancement techniques, the effectiveness of foam-based fract..