Saturday, October 16, 2010

Observations on Fracking Styles

This is getting pretty deep into the weeds, and the details are beyond what I understand, but I'm trying to get a better handle on "styles" and innovations of fracking since I think we are going to see much more written about fracking over the next few years.

This starts with the post on the Fidelity permits in the South Heart area of the North Dakota Bakken. At that time it was noted that the new Fidelity permits are in close proximity to a Whiting well and a Tracker well. In fact, there are two Whiting wells in the general area: 
18833, Froehlich 44-9TFH, Zenith oil field, SESE 9-139N-99W, plugged or producing
18837, Kubas 11-13TFH, wildcat, NWNW 13-140N-99W, plugged or producing
According to "Old Oil" (same link as above, see comments at that link):
Whiting frac on the Froehlich was all 24 stage plug and perf. On the Kubas, it was 20 stages PIP and 4 stages plug and perf. It would seem to me they are testing the economics and production rates. Stay tuned for the results. This may set the parameters for the TF in this area. 
Both the Froehlich and the Kubas are Whiting wells; they are about six miles apart from each other in the same general area; and, both target the Three Forks Sanish.

It is my understanding that it takes several days to accomplish individual "plug and perf" stage fracturing whereas multi-stage fracturing (which I assume "precision identified perforation" [PIP] is) can be accomplished in one day.

This is a fairly good website to get the basics of different types of fracking. As time goes by, more information will probably be forthcoming.

Also, note the number of fractures: 24, below the highs of 30 - 40 that some drillers have reported, but a number that seems to be commonly reported (low- to mid-20's).

3 comments:

  1. You've cited a decent article on fracking including a rational treatment of potential fracking problems and regulatory history. It avoids the hysterical discussion coming from certain environmental camps, oil industry representative, and aging investors with retirement concerns. Smile.

    Hess342

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  2. Thank you very much. Coming from you, that means a lot. Thanks.

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  3. I re-read your comment: "...and aging investors with retirement concerns." Well, you've pretty much described me in five (5) words, and that explains my occasional (frequently) voiced concerns about Federal regulations. Smile out loud.

    ReplyDelete

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