Fracturing/pressure pumping
The creation of SPE’s Acid Stimulation Technical Section shines a light on the technique that improves injectivity and productivity. JPT talked with the chair of the new section about the importance of the technical area.
Fracture modeling continues to be used to evaluate and design novel applications, and integration with diagnostics and other forms of field-data collection are crucial to success.
This paper focuses on a replicable, quantitative workflow using completions-process simulation software.
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A new proppant exhibits a neutrally wet surface, which does not have a preferential affinity for oil, gas, or water and therefore will not promote the preferential entrapment of any phase within the proppant pack. -
Hydraulic fracturing exerts transient geomechanical forces near the wellbore, enabling a brief time interval in which a second hydraulic fracture can be created in a different direction.
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The oil-economy downturn will not affect the areas where research, development, and application of novel technologies are absolutely necessary for the commercialization of hydrocarbon.
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While many factors may influence fracture-height evolution in multilayer formations, the consensus is that the so-called “equilibrium height belonging to a certain treating pressure” provides an upper limit, at least for nonnaturally fractured media.
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A new unconventional proppant technology—a rod-shaped proppant—delivered 25% higher oil per net pay compared with offset wells using conventional proppant.
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A pair of inventive companies are working on a way to allow microseismic tests to visualize the otherwise silent process of propping fractures.
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I am disappointed to see public opposition to hydraulic fracturing, because I think, for the biggest part, it is unfounded. It would be inaccurate to deny that there can be problems. But an objective look reveals that its benefits far outweigh its potential risks.
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Developers of the latest generation of unconventional hydraulic fracturing models are hoping that current weak oil and gas prices will generate newfound interest in their software technology.
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With the world’s fifth-largest estimated shale gas reserves, there is great potential for Saudi Arabia to replicate North America’s unconventional growth.
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A strategic objective of Saudi Aramco is exploring and developing deep and unconventional gas reservoirs, many of which are considered extremely tight.
