Research Progress in the Application of Nanotechnology in Fracturing: A Review

Hydraulic fracturing is a core stimulation technology for enhancing hydrocarbon production. However, it faces significant technical bottlenecks in unconventional reservoirs. These bottlenecks include poor adaptability to high-temperature and high-salinity environments, water-sensitive formation damage, and insufficient long-term fracture conductivity. Nanotechnology leverages unique properties of nanomaterials, such as surface effects, quantum size effects, and designability. Nanotechnology offers systematic solutions for optimizing fracturing fluids, enhancing proppant performance, and innovating waterless fracturing techniques. This review outlines the current status of fracturing technology, exploring the role of nanoparticles in improving fluid rheology, proppant strength, and interface regulation, and discusses future challenges. Studies show that nanomodified fracturing fluids can increase high-temperature viscosity retention by over 300%. Meanwhile, waterless fracturing reduces water consumption by 80%. Despite challenges in particle agglomeration and cost, nanotechnology demonstrates significant potential in boosting recovery and reducing environmental impact. Nanotechnology is positioned as a transformative technology for future unconventional resource development.