Operator needed to reduce screenout risk and enhance production in remote field

Western Siberia, the most prolific hydrocarbon-producing region in Russia, contributes to approximately 70% of the country’s oil. Taylakovskoe field, a recently developed oil field in the Western Siberian basin, is 430 kilometers away from the nearest settlement, creating unique logistical and operational challenges. The majority of the Taylakovskoe field’s recoverable reserves are located in thin, heterogeneous sandstone deposits with permeability in the range of 5–10 mD, necessitating hydraulic fracturing treatments for economic viability. However, frequent screenouts severely disrupted stimulation operations, leading to costly nonproductive time (NPT) and deferred production.

Schlumberger recommended HiWAY technology to increase fracture conductivity

The Russian operator typically increased proppant concentration and used low polymer fluids to improve hydraulic fracturing treatments. While effective, these methods led to high screenout rates and cleanup costs. Schlumberger proposed HiWAY flow-channel hydraulic fracturing service with a customized perforation placement strategy. Unlike conventional well stimulation techniques, HiWAY fracturing technique uses engineered fibers and pulsed pumping to create stable, open channels within the fractures. Channel fracturing enables faster fluid and polymer flowback, improving cleanup and increasing fracture half-length.

To maximize performance, the operator and Schlumberger selected wells with pay zones at least 10-m thick and low risk of water breakthrough.

Operator eliminated screenouts and gained additional 121 bbl/d oil per well

The first well treated with HiWAY service achieved superior dimensionless productivity using 45% less proppant than offset wells. Based on these results, the campaign was expanded to include unstimulated wells with existing, conventional perforations. The operator also decided to trial HiWAY technology as a refracturing treatment in a mature well.

The 10-well HiWAY campaign was executed with no screenouts and no significant increases in water cut, dramatically reducing nonproductive time. HiWAY wells delivered an extra 121 bbl/d per well on average—a 44% increase over standard stimulation techniques in the field. In addition, productivity index was 113% higher than predicted.

Today, more than half of new and mature wells in Taylakovskoe field are treated with HiWAY channel fracturing. The operator has plans to expand HiWAY refracturing treatments to other brown fields, starting with three candidate wells.