With the continuous advancement of unconventional oil and gas exploration, shale oil and gas have become increasingly important components of the global energy supply. Compared with conventional reservoirs, shale formations are characterized by low porosity, ultra-low permeability, and complex geological structures, which place higher demands on drilling, hydraulic fracturing, and produced water treatment processes. In this context, high-performance oilfield chemicals play a critical role, among which polyacrylamide (PAM) is one of the most widely used functional polymers in shale oil and gas development.

During drilling operations, shale formations are often highly water-sensitive and prone to hydration, dispersion, and wellbore instability. PAM is commonly used in water-based drilling fluid systems to improve rheological properties by increasing viscosity and enhancing shear-thinning behavior. This helps to suspend and transport drill cuttings more effectively while reducing solid settlement. In addition, PAM contributes to fluid loss control and filter cake formation, minimizing filtrate invasion into the formation and improving wellbore stability.

In hydraulic fracturing operations, PAM is widely applied in slickwater and certain fracturing fluid systems. PAM with appropriate molecular weight can significantly reduce frictional resistance in tubing and fractures, allowing high injection rates at relatively low pumping pressures. This facilitates effective fracture propagation. Moreover, PAM can maintain acceptable viscoelastic properties under high shear conditions, ensuring efficient proppant suspension and transport, which is essential for improving fracture conductivity.

As shale oil and gas development expands, the treatment of flowback and produced water has become a major operational challenge. These wastewater streams typically contain high levels of suspended solids, high salinity, and complex chemical compositions. PAM is commonly used as a flocculant in water treatment processes, where it promotes rapid aggregation and sedimentation of fine particles through bridging and charge neutralization mechanisms. By selecting suitable molecular weight and ionic types, PAM can significantly enhance solid–liquid separation efficiency, enabling water reuse or compliant discharge.

Overall, polyacrylamide plays a vital role in multiple stages of shale oil and gas development, including drilling, fracturing, and wastewater treatment. Its application contributes to improved operational efficiency, reduced costs, and more sustainable resource development. As shale reservoirs become more complex, the performance requirements for PAM products will continue to increase, highlighting its long-term importance in the oilfield chemical sector.