The channel fracturing technique changes the concept of proppant fracture conductivity generation by enabling hydrocarbons to flow through open channels instead of through the proppant pack. The new technique is based on four main components: proppant pulsing at surface with fracturing equipment and software, a customized perforation strategy, a fibrous material to deliver stable channels, and a set of models to optimize channel geometry.

The Taylakovskoe oil field is located in western Siberia—430 km away from the nearest settlements. The Jurassic reservoir in Taylakovskoe field is a sandstone formation with significant net pay (average 25 m) and middle-range permeability (3 to 20 mD). Bottomhole temperatures range between 85°C and 90°C. Fracturing gradient is typically 14 kPa/m. The majority of the wells are stimulated immediately after drilling. Sufficient fracture conductivity and effective fracture length are essential for adequate well performance. The optimization of hydraulic fracturing treatments conducted in recent years was based on improved fluid chemistry and pumping “aggressive” fracture designs; this yielded high-quality results. The new channel fracturing stimulation technique, which allows significant increases in fracture conductivity, became the next technological progression. With channels inside the fracture, fluid and polymer residue flow back faster than with a conventional proppant pack, improving cleanup and increasing effective fracture half-length.