Breaker Technology

Breakers are chemicals that are added to fluids in order to reduce their viscosity after the treatment has been completed. This enables fluids to flow back, removing unwanted gel from the proppant pack.

Encap-LP

Encap-LP is an encapsulated oxidative breaker used in hydraulic fracturing. Encap-LP slowly releases ammonium persulphate into the fracturing fluid. This breaker can be used in higher temperature applications where the frac fluid temperature remains below 70°C (158°F) for sufficient time to place the proppant. Encap-LP allows for more efficient proppant transport without premature viscosity degradation. The solid breaker will concentrate in the proppant pack during fluid leak off, which in turn will improve clean up and conductivity of the created fracture.

Encap-HP

Encap-HP is an encapsulated oxidative breaker used in hydraulic fracturing. Encap-HP slowly releases ammonium persulphate into the fracturing fluid with time and temperature. This delayed breaker release ensures fluid integrity is maintained for the length of the job, allowing for more efficient proppant transport without premature viscosity degradation. The solid breaker will concentrate in the proppant pack during fluid leak off which in turn will improve clean up and conductivity of the created fracture. Encap HP is typically run in applications where the temperature is above 70°C (158°F). Typical loadings range between 0.1-0.5 kg/m3 (0.8-4.2 ppt).

Breaker SR^™ 

Trican’s new high temperature, encapsulated oxidizer breaker is a time/temperature release breaker that does not discharge until after the fracture treatment is completed. Breaker SR™  maintains full viscosity of the fracture fluid for the duration of the treatment followed by rapid degradation.

Advantages

• More efficient proppant transport without premature viscosity degradation
• Improved cleanup and conductivity of the propped fracture
• Can be used in applications above 70°C (160°F)
• Solid form is easy to transport and dispense

DRA-2^™ 

Trican’s Breaker DRA-2™  is part of a dual breaker system for borate cross-linked gel. Conventional breakers “break” polymer chains but not the cross-link bonds, which results in residue being left in the proppant pack. DRA-2 “breaks” the cross-link bonds and eliminates residue.

Advantages

• Slow and controllable release of organic acid resulting in a pH shift
• Release of a chelating agent to help prevent iron-based precipitates from forming
• Can be used in applications above 70°C (160°F)
• Can be used in all water-based fracturing gels, but is most effective with borate crosslinked fluids

DRA-90^™

Trican’s Breaker DRA-90™  is part of a dual breaker system for borate cross-linked gel. Conventional breakers “break” polymer chains, but not the cross-link bonds, which results in residue being left in the proppant pack. DRA-90™ “breaks” the cross-link bonds and eliminates residue.

Advantages

• Slow, controlled pH drop in crosslinked gels
• Provides an additional mechanism for breaking of a borate cross-linked gel
• Improves regain conductivity by lowering the amount of insoluble polymer residue of broken gels
• Aqueous fluids with a lower pH have a lower tendency to swell clays
• Chelating agent is also released to help prevent iron based precipitates from forming
• Dispersible and non-reactive with common fracturing additives
• Is non-swelling to Buna and Viton rubber
• Non-flammable, odorless liquid
• Environmentally friendly fracturing additive
• Passes Microtox® with a high threshold value of 290L/m³ (GPT).