Published: 10/08/2019
Published: 10/08/2019
An independent operator wanted to maximize hydraulic fracturing efficiency in plug & perf wells targeting the tight oil Codell Sandstone formation. In particular, engineers wanted to maximize zonal isolation to minimize stage-to-stage fracturing fluid communication and nonuniform fractures.
Despite using industry best practices for centralization and spacers, the engineering team was concerned that channels of nonaqueous drilling fluid (NAF) might enable fracturing fluid to migrate between perforation clusters behind the casing.
Fulcrum technology improves fracturing performance by modifying the rheology of NAF left in channels behind the casing, limiting fluid mobility and interstage communication.
Using data from public sources, mean early oil production was compared for three wells cemented using Fulcrum technology and 44 wells drilled and stimulated within the last 2 years and within a 10-mile radius.
For the Fulcrum technology-enhanced wells, the median production in the first full month was 40% higher than the median of the conventionally cemented wells. Normalized by length of perforated interval, oil production in the first full month was 106% higher for the Fulcrum technology-enhanced wells. Normalized by proppant placed, the Fulcrum technology-enhanced wells outperformed the others by 55%.
Three Codell Sandstone wells cemented using Fulcrum cement-conveyed stimulation performance technology delivered higher median initial production as compared with nearby conventionally cemented wells targeting the same formation.
