Multi-Stage fracturing of

horizontal wells in the

Bakken
Dan Themig
Packers Plus Energy Services

Fracturing Options
Open Hole
Diverters
Sand Slugs

Jetting / nozzle fracs

Cemented liners
Multistage Fracturing Liners

2007 Williston Basin Petroleum Conference

History of StackFRAC
First system in 2001
First Bakken well in 2002
More than 400 systems deployed to date

Carbonates
Shales
Dolomites
Cherts
Sandstone
Coalbed Methane
2007 Williston Basin Petroleum Conference

Fracturing Horizontal Wells

Maximize Reservoir
Contact

Connect laminated pay

intervals

Connect missed pay

Increase Productivity

Overcome poor Kv

Bypass drilling
damages
2007 Williston Basin Petroleum Conference

Maximizing Reservoir Contact

Data for comparison

Zone height: 100 ft (30 m)

Open hole: 8 (216 mm)
Horizontal length: 2000 ft (610 m)
10 Fracs with Fracture length: 150 ft
(46 m)

2007 Williston Basin Petroleum Conference

Maximizing Reservoir Contact

30 m (110 ft)
Vertical well

610 m (2000 ft)

Horizontal well

610 m
Horizontal well with
10 x 46 m (150 ft) fractures

7715 m2 of contact
2

20.4 m of contact

418 m2 of contact

20 X vertical

378 X vertical
18 X horizontal
2007 Williston Basin Petroleum Conference

Type of Fractures
Longitudinal (Colinear) Fractures

Productivity equivalent to a very long fracture

Easier fracture placement for propped fracture
treatments
No converging flow restrictions during production

Reservoir fluid
2007 Williston Basin Petroleum Conference

Type of Fractures
Transverse Fractures

Can achieve greater contact with reservoir and

increase productivity
Higher risk of screenout due to fracture tortuosity
(not an issue with acid fracs)
Converging flow adversely can affect productivity

Reservoir fluid
2007 Williston Basin Petroleum Conference

2007 Williston Basin Petroleum Conference

2007 Williston Basin Petroleum Conference

10

Goals of Fracturing
Effective Toe-to-Heel Stimulation
Increase IP
Increase primary recovery
Reduced well completion costs
Prepare for future reservoir requirements

2007 Williston Basin Petroleum Conference

11

RockSeal II Packer

2007 Williston Basin Petroleum Conference

12

StackFRAC System Design

Thick Segments
Fracture treatments are designed with high
pumping rates and large volumes
Number of stages will be determined by lateral
length
Frac down casing or large frac string

2007 Williston Basin Petroleum Conference

13

StackFRAC System Design

Fracture Design Minimize Water
Controlled volumes
Low pumping rates
minimize frac height growth

Underlying Water

2007 Williston Basin Petroleum Conference

14

StackFRAC System Design

Focus Fracs
Minimize distance between packers (10ft-50ft)
Controlled placement
Tailored stage sizes

2007 Williston Basin Petroleum Conference

15

Conclusions
Mechanical Diversion Effective
RockSeal Packer

Competing Fractures in one segment

Excellent fracture Length
Effective fracture height growth (planned)

2007 Williston Basin Petroleum Conference

16

StackFRACTM Technical
Publications

SPE 103046 - New Barnett Shale Horizontal Completion Lowers Cost and Improves
Efficiency - 2006 SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition held in San Antonio,
Texas, U.S.A., 2427 September 2006.

Effective Stimulation of Horizontal Wells - A New Completion Method. This paper was
prepared for presentation at the 2006 SPE Technical Symposium of Saudi Arabia
Section held in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, 21-23 May 2006.

New Technology Magazine Sept. 2006,

completions.

The American Oil & Gas Reporter March 2007, Completion Improves HZ Wells

Canadian Intl. Petroleum Conference 06/15/06, An Effective HZ Well completion and

stimulation system

SPE 101230 Nov. 2006 Abu Dhabi Intl. Petroleum Conference An Effective HZ Well
completion and stimulation system.

SPE 104557 - Multistage Fracturing System: Improving Operational Efficiency and

Production - 2006 SPE Eastern Regional Meeting held in Canton, Ohio, U.S.A., 1113
October 2006.

StackFRAC speeds up open-hole HZ well

2007 Williston Basin Petroleum Conference

17