Reducing Emissions for Extended-Reach Well Stimulation Without the Need of Intervention

Abstract

For most wells in North America, hydraulic fracturing is usually performed by plug-and-perf. It requires perforating guns, plugs and milling bottom hole assemblies (BHAs), large water volumes, as well as coiled tubing and friction reduction technologies such as vibratory tools or tractors, in the case of extended-reach wells. To reduce operational complexity, time, and cost time and meet Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals, operating companies are in a continuous search for alternative innovative fracturing systems. A new approach to traditional hydraulic fracturing is presented in this paper showing significantly improved project economics and lower environmental impact. A contactless sleeve recognition technology, consisting of any number of compact programmable dissolvable darts, is used to open and close sliding sleeves without the need of well intervention technologies. The new fracturing system was used in a horizontal well with a 16,568-ft long lateral. In this well, darts enabled the opening of 133 sleeves. The darts have miniature electronic sensors allowing real-time monitoring of their exact location as they move through the well and real-time dart control to activate them before landing on their target sleeves. The details presented show the acoustic monitoring confirmation of stages being successfully treated, the high-definition ultrasonic confirmation of no erosion or casing deformation, and the darts dissolution after the treatment. The significant advancement of this hydraulic fracturing technique made it possible to completely eliminate the need for coiled tubing in an extended-reach well, gain confidence in casing deformation risked areas, maintain maximum wellbore inner diameter (ID) before and after completion, eliminate issues of mechanical indexing, ensure continuous pumping without rate limitations, exclude milling operations and avoid casing erosion. The field data demonstrates the efficiency of the new fracturing technology that allows stimulation of horizontal wells without the need for well intervention. The article summarizes the field results of the hydraulic fracturing operation and quantifies its outcomes for sustainable resource development and strong financial results. The industry is under increasing pressure to reduce project costs and environmental impact. The new fracturing system described in this paper becomes a more efficient alternative to traditional plug-and-perf technology. It allows for reduced risks and costs, enabling operators to successfully complete extended-reach wells without need of intervention, overcome issues of casing deformation, improve operational efficiency, enhance energy production and reduce environmental impact.