Abstract Worldwide demand for energy has forced the energy services industry to increase process efficiency and create innovative new methods of fracture stimulation optimization. Pinpoint fracturing methods represent a divergence from conventional fracture stimulation methods, which provide minimal optimization to reservoir volume. Pinpoint fracturing methods allow multiple interval completions to be performed efficiently, helping ensure that all intervals receive the optimum fracture intensity.
To increase process efficiency, coiled tubing (CT) is used to hydra-jet perforate intervals for individual fracturing treatments at predetermined depths. The process uses a unique bottomhole assembly (BHA), which was recently redesigned to increase the efficiency of the hydra-jetting tool and isolate the fracture stimulation from previous intervals. This pinpoint fracturing method does not require removing the CT from the well between treatments. Risks of non-productive time (NPT) are mitigated because contingencies for early screenout avoidance can be initiated immediately during the fracture stimulation with minimal impact on overall completion costs. Treating intervals individually substantially helps reduce the amount of hydraulic horsepower required onsite, further reducing completion costs and the risk of NPT caused by down horsepower.
Re-innovating fracture stimulation technology is often a challenge. The new technology must add value and efficiency to the process, while remaining reliable and commercially viable. In this case, these requirements were met by reducing the complexity of the BHA while increasing hydra-jetting efficiency. The elimination of moving parts increased the process reliability and simplified operational procedures.
This paper examines the re-innovation of this older technology.