Over the years, fracturing operations have undergone a major overhaul. Sites that once had single wells now feature advanced configurations such as zipper fracs, simulfracs, trimulfracs, and even quadfracs. Combined with 24-hour pumping, the complexity of this work has increased substantially.
“We’re at the end of what’s capable for one individual to handle,” said Shawn Stasiuk, vice president for production enhancement for Halliburton, which has recently debuted an innovation it calls the “Octiv Auto Frac.”
The service company’s automated hydraulic fracturing technology suite includes its latest line of advanced pumping units along with its fracturing software and monitoring platforms.
In January, as part of a collaboration with Permian Basin independent producer Coterra Energy, Halliburton announced the first fully automated hydraulic fracturing program. It allows for remote control and execution of fracturing designs with the push of a button.
The initial rollout with Coterra resulted in a 17% increase in stage efficiency.
