Development and Qualification of an Ultra-High-Salinity Fracturing Fluid with Integrated Friction Reduction and Scale Control for Water-Constrained Fields

Abstract This paper details the development and qualification of a next-generation fracturing fluid system (NGFFS) specifically engineered for ultra-high-salinity environments encountered in water-constrained regions such as the UAE. The NGFFS couples a salt-tolerant high-viscosity friction reducer with an advanced scale inhibitor, enabling simultaneous drag reduction and scale control in brines with total dissolved solids (TDS) up to 300,000 ppm. The qualification program combined friction-loop testing, rheology measurements, thermodynamic scale modelling, Turbiscan monitoring, and high-temperature, high-pressure static jar tests to define a robust operating envelope for the fluid system. Laboratory testing demonstrated drag-reduction levels of approximately 80–85% in harsh brines and effective mitigation of calcite scaling across multiple injection/formation water mixing scenarios. The NGFFS maintained rheological performance compatible with slickwater and hybrid fracturing designs and exhibited no detrimental interactions with commonly used additives such as clay stabilizers, surfactants, and biocides. A multi-well implementation on a UAE pad confirmed that the system can be deployed with produced and brackish waters, while maintaining operational reliability and allowing a reduction in friction-reducer concentrations relative to initial design assumptions. By consolidating friction reduction and scale control into a single fluid package, the NGFFS simplifies chemical logistics, reduces overall additive consumption, and supports water-reuse strategies in high-salinity basins. The workflow and results presented provide a practical template for qualifying similar ultra-high-salinity fracturing fluid systems in other water-constrained environments worldwide.