The use of Nitrogen in oil and gas fields- both onshore and offshore- is extensive, as the inert gas-element can provide a number of benefits to improve operations. It can be applied in all phases- from drilling, to work-over, to completion, to pigging and purging.
In fracturing, it can be used in it’s pure form (Pure Nitrogen Fracturing), diluted with water so that the nitrogen makes up between 50 and 90 percent of the fluid (Nitrogen Foam Fracturing), or mixed with water diluted to below percent (Nitrogen Energized Fracturing). Among other benefits, the use of nitrogen can reduce water consumption, and though water is cheap, it’s handling, treatment, and disposal in fracturing operations is not. Nitrogen is a non-flammable, inert element, and provides the same volume expanding benefits as the traditional water-sand-chemical mixture used in traditional fracturing operations, but is considered more environmentally friendly.