Each shale play has its own set of characteristics and presents different challenges for operators, resulting in a need for unique approaches to producing oil and natural gas. BJ Services recognizes our clients’ needs for highly efficient and cost-effective production, which we are able to meet through our innovative products such as ThinFracTM MP—one of several products in our ThinFracTM friction reducer family.
One of the most important aspects in the development of hydraulic fracturing processes has been the evolution of highly effective fracturing fluids. BJ’s family of friction reducers are water-based and contain gelling agents or polymers to improve proppant transport capabilities and reduce friction pressure when pumped, resulting in lower hydraulic horsepower requirements.
Specifically, our ThinFracTM MP friction reducer has been a true pioneer in this category. It is proven to increase productivity for slickwater fracturing operations in North America shale plays by up to 70 percent and lower operational costs by up to 30 percent. These results are achieved by offering a single-fluid solution that provides rapid hydration, enhances proppant transport and breaks precisely and cleanly with less proppant pack or formation damage. This is what defines tunable technology—a solution that can be adapted to the unique challenges of each well.
The Proof Most recently, an operator used ThinFracTM MP in the Eagle Ford shale play, which has unique and challenging characteristics. In addition to increased logistical management and costs related to the region’s infrastructure, the Eagle Ford produces both natural gas and oil and requires some of the highest treatment pressures during fracturing operations.
This operator was also faced with fast-declining production rates because of the ultra-low-permeability rock formation and needed a fluid system that would achieve maximum friction reduction and proppant transport, while accommodating the remaining complexities related to cost.
After witnessing the challenges with the operator’s conventional slickwater system, our engineers recommended using ThinFracTM MP for the next 15 stages to better maintain the desired production rates given the type of formation. The switch resulted in the operator seeing a 10 percent reduction in pressures and 20 percent reduction in product consumption—leading to a significant production gain with increased efficiency through less NPT. After seeing these results, the operator began exclusively using ThinFrac™ MP on all wells.
ThinFrac Maximum Permeability (MP) friction reducer is a high-viscosity yielding and cost-effective polyacrylamide polymer. It allows efficient hydration and develops nearly instantaneous viscosity, in slickwater fracturing operations. It reduces pipe friction pressure by as much as 85% compared, lowering hydraulic horsepower requirements and improving operational efficiency.
Features and Benefits
- Anionic formulation allows rapid hydration in 8 to 10 seconds in cold water
- Low pour point enables application in cold weather
- Compatibility with fresh water, brines, and low pH-fluids, reducing water management and disposal costs and logistics
- Its liquid state enables fast, accurate metering and mixing
- Reduces pipe friction by up to 85%
An operator was faced with fast-declining production rates because of the ultra-low-permeability rock formation and needed a fluid system that would achieve maximum friction reduction (FR) and proppant transport, while accommodating the pressures and minimizing complexity and costs.
This operation was performed on a two-well pad with approximately 35 stages per well. A conventional slickwater system was used on the first 10 stages of both wells, including the same design that was used on previous wells. A gel unit was also brought on location for backup.
For the next 15 stages, BJ’s engineers recommended using their ThinFrac MP tunable technology to better maintain the desired production rates in this type of formation. This enhanced polymer provides rapid hydration, delivers the proppant to the fractures when and where it is required and breaks cleanly with little to no proppant pack or formation damage. ThinFrac MP was initially run at a higher loading of 1 gpt (1 L/m3) and a gel unit was also kept for backup. After this innovative technology proved to achieve and maintain positive results, BJ recommended tuning it to run at half the loading concentration to 0.5 gpt (0.5 L/m3). The flexibility gained by this unique design enabled the pumping to be done without disruption or increase in surface horsepower requirements.
While the slickwater was being pumped, the operator experienced very high pumping pressures which led to unplanned nonproductive time (NPT) and delays.
Once the operator switched to ThinFrac MP, there was a 10% reduction in the pressures, enabling improved well performance through enhanced proppant transport and greater regain conductivity. The lower concentration maintained the same level of performance and resulted in a 20% reduction in product consumption when compared to other conventional FR. This single-fluid, tunable system allowed the 15 stages to be completed faster with less NPT, shutdowns or screenouts than the previous 10. The operator decided to remove the backup gel unit after seeing ThinFrac MP’s consistent results. It also reduced the overall footprint with less equipment and additives required onsite.
Overall, the operator saw a significant production gain when compared to the slickwater system due to ThinFrac MP’s enhanced proppant transport capabilities and greater regain conductivity. In order to maximize on the cost savings it enabled, the operator also began using the technology exclusively on all other wells.
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