黏弹性表面活性剂（X）——在油气开采中的应用

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2097-2806.2026.10.002

摘要/Abstract

摘要：

黏弹性表面活性剂（VES）凭借蠕虫状胶束的可逆组装，兼具增黏、黏弹性、可逆剪切、遇烃自破胶等特性，已成为油气开采工作液的重要组分。本文系统梳理了VES在油气开采主要作业环节的应用现状。清洁压裂液依靠胶束缠结网络悬浮支撑剂，破胶彻底、残渣极少，纳米粒子改性可进一步提升其耐温耐盐与滤失控制能力；自转向酸利用酸-岩反应就地增黏，实现高渗层暂堵与低渗层改造；砾石充填与连续油管作业则受益于其低摩阻、层流携砂和剪切可逆恢复特性。在化学驱与CO₂驱油领域，VES兼具流度控制与界面活性，CO₂响应型体系还可原位胶凝以抑制气窜、增强咸水层封存。总体而言，VES在低压低渗、煤层气等残渣敏感储层中优势突出，但耐温抗盐上限、阳离子体系乳化倾向及药剂成本仍制约其规模化替代。未来应通过纳米复合、多重非共价作用与无机盐诱导组装等途径提升综合性能，并推进绿色化与低成本制备。

关键词: 黏弹性表面活性剂, 蠕虫状胶束, 油气开采, 清洁压裂液, 自转向酸

Abstract:

Viscoelastic surfactants （VES） combine viscosity enhancement, unique viscoelasticity, reversible shearing and hydrocarbon-sensitivity, and have thus become key components of oil and gas working fluids. This review summarizes the mechanism, formulation and practical applications or potentials of VES in upstream oil industry. In clean fracturing fluids, entangled micellar networks suspend proppants while leaving minimal residue; nanoparticle modification further improves thermal and salt tolerance and fluid-loss control. Self-diverting acids exploit acid-rock reaction to thicken in situ, temporarily plugging high-permeability zones and diverting subsequent acid to low-permeability layers. Gravel packing and coiled-tubing operations benefit from low friction, laminar-flow sand transport and reversible shear recovery. In chemical flooding and CO₂ flooding, VES provides both mobility control and interfacial activity, and CO₂-responsive systems can gel in situ to mitigate gas channeling and enhance saline-aquifer sequestration. VES shows clear advantages in residue-sensitive reservoirs such as low-pressure low-permeability and coalbed methane formations, yet temperature and salinity limits, the emulsification tendency of cationic species and reagent cost still constrain large-scale substitution of polymers. Future work should enhance performance through nanocomposites, multiple non-covalent interactions and salt-induced assembly, while advancing green and low-cost preparation.

Key words: viscoelastic surfactant, wormlike micelles, oil and gas production, clean fracturing fluids, self-diverting acid

中图分类号:

TQ423

吕永利, 冯玉军. 黏弹性表面活性剂（X）——在油气开采中的应用[J]. 日用化学工业（中英文）, 2026, 56(10): 1297-1309.

Yongli Lv, Yujun Feng. Viscoelastic surfactants (X) Applications in oil and gas production[J]. China Surfactant Detergent & Cosmetics, 2026, 56(10): 1297-1309.

图/表 6

图1

图2

图3

图4

图5

图6

参考文献 49

[1]	Sullivan P, Nelson E B, Anderson V, et al. Oilfield applications of giant micelles. In: Zana R, Kaler E J, eds, Giant Micelles: Properties and Applications[M]. CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2007: 453-472.
[2]	Sullivan P F, Panga M K R, Lafitte V. Applications of wormlike micelles in the oilfield industry. In: Dreiss C, Feng Y, eds, Wormlike micelles: Advances in systems, characterisation and applications[M]. Royal Society of Chemistry, London, 2017: 330-352.
[3]	Kefi S, Lee J, Pope T L, et al. Expanding applications for viscoelastic surfactants[J]. Oilfield Review, 2004 (4) : 10-23.
[4]	Maitland G C. Oil and gas production[J]. Current opinion in Colloid & Interface Science, 2001, 5 (5-6) : 301-311. doi: 10.1016/S1359-0294(00)00069-8
[5]	Chase B, Chmilowski W, Marcinew R, et al. Clear fracturing fluids for increased well productivity[J]. Oilfield Review, 1997 (3) : 20-33.
[6]	Al-Anzi E, Al-Mutawa M, Al-Habib N, et al. Positive reactions in carbonate reservoir stimulation[J]. Oilfield Review, 2003 (4) : 28-45.
[7]	Wang J, Huang Y, Zhang Y, et al. Study of fracturing fluid on gel breaking performance and damage to fracture conductivity[J]. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 2020, 193: 107443. doi: 10.1016/j.petrol.2020.107443
[8]	Fink J F. Hydraulic fracturing chemicals and fluids technology[M]. Gulf Professional Publishing, 2013: 1-16.
[9]	Jennings A R. Fracturing fluids-then and now[J]. Journal of Petroleum Technology, 1996, 48 (7) : 604-610. doi: 10.2118/36166-JPT
[10]	Raghavan S R, Kaler E W. Highly viscoelastic wormlike micellar solutions formed by cationic surfactants with long unsaturated tails[J]. Langmuir, 2001, 17 (2) : 300-306. doi: 10.1021/la0007933
[11]	Miller E, Rothstein J P. Transient evolution of shear-banding wormlike micellar solutions[J]. Journal of Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics, 2007, 142 (1) : 22-37.
[12]	Shibaev A V, Osiptsov A A, Philippova O E. Novel trends in the development of surfactant-based hydraulic fracturing fluids: A review[J]. Gels, 2021, 7 (4) : 258.
[13]	Cawiezel K E, Gupta D V S. Successful optimization of viscoelastic foamed fracturing fluids with ultralightweight proppants for ultralow-permeability reservoirs[J]. SPE Production and Operations, 2010, 25 (1) : 80-88. doi: 10.2118/119626-PA
[14]	Samuel M M, Card R J, Nelson E B, et al. Polymer-free fluid for fracturing applications[J]. SPE Drilling & Completion, 1999, 14 (4) : 240-246.
[15]	刘新全, 易明新, 赵金钰, 等. 黏弹性表面活性剂(VES)压裂液[J]. 油田化学, 2001, 18 (3) : 273-277.
[16]	Huang T, Crews J B. Nanotechnology applications in viscoelastic surfactant stimulation fluids[J]. SPE Production and Operations, 2008, 23 (4) : 512-517. doi: 10.2118/107728-PA
[17]	Crews J B, Huang T. Performance enhancements of viscoelastic surfactant stimulation fluids with nanoparticles[C]// Paper SPE113533 presented at the Europec/EAGE Conference and Exhibition, Rome, Italy, June 2008.
[18]	Huang T, Crews J B, Agrawal G. Nanoparticle pseudocrosslinked micellar fluids: optimal solution for fluid-loss control with internal breaking[C]// Paper SPE128067 presented at the SPE International Symposium and Exhibition on Formation Damage Control, Lafayette, Louisiana, USA, February 2010.
[19]	Philippova O E, Molchanov V S. Enhanced rheological properties and performance of viscoelastic surfactant fluids with embedded nanoparticles[J]. Current Opinion in Colloid & Interface Science, 2019, 43: 52-62. doi: 10.1016/j.cocis.2019.02.009
[20]	黄胜铭, 蒋官澄, 焦庆立, 等. 黏弹性表面活性剂压裂液的制备及其对页岩气吸附/解吸性能的评价[J]. 钻井液与完井液, 2006, 43 (1) : 120-129.
[21]	Fredd C N, Fogler H S. Influence of transport and reaction on wormhole formation in porous media[J]. AIChE Journal, 1998, 44(9) : 1933-1949. doi: 10.1002/aic.v44:9
[22]	Gomaa A M M, Nasr-El-Din H A. New insights into the viscosity of polymer-based in-situ-gelled acids[J]. SPE Production & Operation, 2010, 25 (3) : 367-375.
[23]	Chang F, Qu Q, Frenier W. A novel self-diverting-acid developed for matrix stimulation of carbonate reservoirs[C]// Paper SPE65033 presented at the SPE International Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry, 2001 (2) : 13-16.
[24]	Lungwitz B, Fredd C, Brady M, et al. Diversion and cleanup studies of viscoelastic surfactant-based self-diverting acid[J]. SPE Production & Operation, 2007, 22 (1) : 121-127.
[25]	Taylor D, Santhana K P, Fu D, et al. Viscoelastic surfactant based self-diverting acid for enhanced stimulation in carbonate reservoirs[C]// Paper SPE82263 presented at the SPE European Formation Damage Conference, The Hague, Netherlands, May 13-14, 2003.
[26]	Afra S, Samouei H, Nasr-El-Din H A. NMR investigation of viscoelastic surfactant compatibility with corrosion inhibitors[J]. SPE Journal, 2021, 26 (3) : 1250-1260. doi: 10.2118/204214-PA
[27]	Liu P, Xue H, Zhao L Q, et al. Analysis and simulation of rheological behavior and diverting mechanism of in situ self-diverting acid[J]. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 2015, 132: 39-52. doi: 10.1016/j.petrol.2015.04.042
[28]	Liu M, Zhang S, Mou J, et al. Diverting mechanism of viscoelastic surfactant-based self-diverting acid and its simulation[J]. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 2013, 105: 91-99. doi: 10.1016/j.petrol.2013.03.001
[29]	Al-Otaibi M A, Al-Muntasheri G A, Hussein I A, et al. Experimental evaluation of viscoelastic surfactant acid diversion for carbonate reservoirs: parameters and performance analysis[C]// Paper SPE141993 presented at the SPE Middle East Oil and Gas Show and Conference, Manama, Bahrain, September 25-28, 2011.
[30]	Wang J, Qi N, Yin H Y, et al. A robust viscoelastic surfactant tolerating 20% HCl up to 150 ℃ for oil well stimulation[J]. Petroleum Science, 2024, 21 (3) : 1865-1874. doi: 10.1016/j.petsci.2024.01.010
[31]	Sarraf S A, Frigaard I A. Gravel packing: How does it work?[J]. Physics of Fluids, 2020, 32 (5) : 053308.
[32]	Brown J E, King L R, Nelson E B, et al. Use of a viscoelastic carrier fluid in frac-pack applications[C]// Paper SPE31114 presented at the SPE Formation Damage Control Symposium, Lafayette, Louisiana, February 14-15, 1996.
[33]	Jain S, Gadiyar B, Stamm B, et al. Friction pressure performance of commonly used viscous gravel-packing fluids[J]. SPE Drilling & Completion, 2011, 26 (2) : 227-237.
[34]	Joseph K P, Cawiezel K E, Wood N. Case history: Overcoming the challenges of deepwater gravel packing by using viscoelastic fluids in wells with concentric-annulus completions[C]// Paper SPE134087 presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Florence, Italy, September 19-22, 2010.
[35]	Nasr-El-Din H A, Samuel M. Lessons learned from using viscoelastic surfactants in well stimulation[J]. SPE Production & Operation, 2007, 22 (1) : 112-120.
[36]	Messler D, Kippie D, Broach M, et al. A potassium formate milling fluid breaks the 400 °F barrier in a deep Tuscaloosa coiled tubing clean-out[C]// Paper SPE86503 presented at the SPE International Symposium and Exhibition on Formation Damage Control, Lafayette, Louisiana, February 18-20, 2004.
[37]	Tiffin D L, Stein M H, Wang X. Drawdown guidelines for sand control completions[C]// Paper SPE84495 presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Denver, Colorado, October 5-8, 2003.
[38]	Samuel M, Polson D, Graham D, et al. Viscoelastic surfactant fracturing fluids: Applications in low permeability reservoirs[C]// Paper SPE60322 presented at the SPE Rocky Mountain Regional/Low-Permeability Reservoirs Symposium and Exhibition, Denver, Colorado, March 12-15, 2000.
[39]	Lakatos I, Toth J, Bodi T, et al. Application of viscoelastic surfactants as mobility-control agents in low-tension surfactant floods[C]// Paper SPE 106005 presented at the 2007 SPE International Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry held in Houston, USA, February 28-March 2, 2007.
[40]	Morvan M, Degré G, Leng J, et al. New viscoelastic fluid for chemical EOR[C]// Paper SPE 121675 presented at the 2009 SPE International Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry held in The Woodlands, Texas, USA, April 20-22, 2009.
[41]	Morvan M, Degré G, Beaumont J, et al. Optimization of viscosifying surfactant technology for chemical EOR[C]// Paper SPE 154053 presented at the Eighteenth SPE Improved Oil Recovery Symposium held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, April 14-18, 2012.
[42]	Degré G, Morvan M, Beaumont J, et al. Viscosifying surfactant technology for chemical EOR: A reservoir case[C]// Paper SPE 154675 presented at the SPE EOR Conference at Oil and Gas West Asia held in Muscat, Oman, April 16-18, 2012.
[43]	Morvan M, Degré G, Beaumont J, et al. Viscosifying surfactant technology for heavy oil reservoirs[C]// Paper SPE 157729 presented at the SPE Heavy Oil Conference Canada held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, June 12-14, 2012.
[44]	Li M Y, Yin Q, Li B, et al. Enhanced oil recovery with a thermo-thickening viscoelastic surfactant: A comparison with polymer[J]. Petroleum Science, 2025, 22: 5176-5188. doi: 10.1016/j.petsci.2025.08.007
[45]	Luo X J, Wei B, Gao K, et al. Gas channeling control with an in-situ smart surfactant gel during water-alternating-CO₂ enhanced oil recovery[J]. Petroleum Science, 2023, 20 (5) : 2835-2851. doi: 10.1016/j.petsci.2023.03.003
[46]	Liu F, Luo X, Wu D, et al. In situ CO₂-induced hydrogels for enhancing carbon sequestration in saline aquifers[J]. Advanced Science, 2026: e77958.
[47]	Cao X, Guo W, Zhu Q, et al. Supramolecular self-assembly of robust, ultra-stable, and high-temperature-resistant viscoelastic worm-like micelles[J]. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2023, 649: 403-415. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.06.086 pmid: 37354797
[48]	Shang Y, Li Z, Zhu Q, et al. A salt-induced smart and tough clean hydrofracturing fluid with superior high-temperature and high-salinity resistance[J]. Energy, 2024, 286: 129685. doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2023.129685
[49]	Fan H, Zheng T, Chen H, et al. Viscoelastic surfactants with high salt tolerance, fast-dissolving property, and ultralow interfacial tension for chemical flooding in offshore oilfields[J]. Journal of Surfactants and Detergents, 2018, 21 (4) : 475-488. doi: 10.1002/jsde.2018.21.issue-4