Frac pack technology still evolving

Journal Article · Mon Oct 23 04:00:00 EDT 1995 · Oil and Gas Journal

OSTI ID:116536

Ebinger, C D ^[1]

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1. Ely and Associates Inc., Houston, TX (United States)

Success of frac packs depends on candidate selection, treatment design, fluids and proppants, downhole tools, and treatment implementation. Current frac packing techniques have partially evolved from high-permeability stimulation in the Kuparuk field, Alaska. In the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), attempts were made as early as the mid-1960s to hydraulically fracture sands. These early treatments were not highly successful because of techniques, understanding of rock mechanical properties, and poor candidate selection. This article focuses primarily on frac packs in GOM wells, although this technique is also used in South America, Southeast Asia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Alaska, and Europe. Through mid-year 1995 in the GOM alone, there have been over 600 frac packs.

• OSTI ID: 116536
• Journal Information: Oil and Gas Journal, Journal Name: Oil and Gas Journal Journal Issue: 43 Vol. 93; ISSN OIGJAV; ISSN 0030-1388
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
FORMATION DAMAGE
FRACTURING FLUIDS
GULF OF MEXICO
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
OIL WELLS
PERFORATION
PERMEABILITY
PLUGGING
PLUGGING AGENTS
WELL COMPLETION
WELL INJECTION EQUIPMENT
WELL STIMULATION