New Multistage Fracturing Process Offers Real-Time Control of Rate and Proppant Concentration at the Perforations

Abstract

The demand for more efficient, effective, and environmentally acceptable hydraulic fracturing solutions will continue into the future as shale reservoirs play more of a critical role in meeting the rising energy demand. The measurement of success for tomorrow’s wells will not just be improved operational efficiency and initial production, but will include long-term well performance and reduced environmental impact. Operators and service companies must remove the uncertainty associated with conventional hydraulic fracturing techniques and aim simply to generate the desired number of fractures while ensuring that proppant is placed accurately to achieve good conductivity for the life of the well. Some of the disadvantages of conventional well stimulation methods include the following: Uncertainty of the number of fractures initiated within cluster perforations.Uncertainty of proppant distribution along multiple fractures.Proppant schedules designed to avoid screenout and not provide optimum conductivity.Overflushing of the near-wellbore (NWB) region.NWB damage as a result of conventional perforating. This paper presents a coiled tubing (CT) fracturing solution designed to eliminate these issues, while also delivering a new level of treatment flexibility by using real-time control of rate and proppant concentration at the perforations. This new approach to hydraulic fracturing reduces hydraulic horsepower requirements and reduces overall water usage significantly, while maximizing the return on investment (ROI) for the operator.

Benefits of Remote Activation and New Downhole Tool for Pinpoint Coiled Tubing Stimulation Technology

“…• "Far-field complexity" and "slug and sweep" can be achieved (Lindsay et al 2012;McNeil and Harbolt 2012). • In the case of unexpected zone abandonment, the next interval can be planned within the vicinity.…”