Study
Commercial ProductionHigh ImpactStrong effect

Self-removing particulate diverters enhance refracturing cost-effectiveness by 20%

Utilizing self-removing particulate diverters in well refracturing operations offers a low-cost, efficient method to restore well productivity and extend asset life.

SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition · 2015

01

Key Findings

  • 01Self-removing particulate diverters are a low-cost, easy-to-implement solution for refracturing.
  • 02This method effectively restores conductivity and remediates blockages in wellbores.
  • 03Refracturing treatments using these diverters demonstrated economic viability through increased EUR.
02

Application

Design takeaway

In production and resource extraction contexts, prioritize solutions that are low-cost, self-managing, and minimize post-operation cleanup to maximize economic returns and operational efficiency.

How to apply

When designing or evaluating processes for resource extraction or infrastructure maintenance, investigate methods that incorporate self-actuating or self-degrading components to reduce labor and material costs associated with intervention and cleanup.

Project actions

  • 01Consider the lifecycle of components and how they can be designed to minimize post-use intervention.
  • 02Explore materials that can perform a function and then degrade or remove themselves.
03

Method & Evidence

AimWhat is the economic and operational impact of using self-removing particulate diverters in the refracturing of unconventional oil and gas reservoirs?
MethodCase study analysis and comparative performance evaluation.
ProcedureThe study analyzed historical refracturing treatments in the Haynesville shale, comparing different designs involving carrier fluid, fluid volume, proppant volume, and diverting methodologies. Economic viability was assessed through pre/post-treatment estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) calculations and pressure trend analysis.
ContextPetroleum engineering, specifically the refracturing of horizontal unconventional reservoirs.

Variables

IVUse of self-removing particulate diverters in refracturing treatments.
DVEconomic viability (measured by EUR uplift) and operational efficiency.
CVWellbore characteristics, geological formation (Haynesville shale), original completion methods.
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Provides practical case studies with economic analysis.
  • +Focuses on a specific, cost-saving innovation in a mature industry.

Limitations

The specific application is highly specialized to the oil and gas industry, and direct translation to other fields may require significant adaptation.

Reliability & validity

The study's validity is supported by the use of real-world case histories and economic calculations (EUR). Reliability could be enhanced by a larger sample size across diverse geological formations and longer-term production monitoring.

Think critically

Beyond cost and ease of use, what are the potential environmental implications of using 'self-removing' particulate diverters, and how might these vary across different geological or operational contexts?

05

Design Principles

"Design for self-sufficiency and minimal intervention to optimize lifecycle economics."

This approach directly impacts the economic viability of mature oil and gas fields by enabling cost-effective restimulation. By minimizing operational complexity and material waste, it presents a more sustainable and profitable strategy for resource extraction.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Using special particles that disappear on their own makes it cheaper and easier to get more oil and gas out of old wells.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Reference this study when discussing the economic benefits of innovative material selection or process design in your design project.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

(2015). Restimulation Design Considerations and Case Studies of Haynesville Shale. SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition. https://doi.org/10.2118/174819-ms Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/0fa0a6bf-098c-479b-aa03-b8c11c4f7b89/self-removing-particulate-diverters-enhance-refracturing-cost-effectiveness-by-20

Paragraph starter

The study by Melcher, Persac, and Whitsett (2015) highlights the commercial advantages of employing self-removing particulate diverters in well refracturing. Their research indicates that these diverters offer a low-cost, operationally simple solution that effectively restores reservoir conductivity and remediates blockages, leading to increased estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) and demonstrating significant economic viability. This exemplifies how material innovation can directly enhance the profitability and sustainability of resource extraction processes.

09

Source

SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition

Restimulation Design Considerations and Case Studies of Haynesville Shale

journal · 2015

View source

Questions about this research

What does the research say about self-removing particulate diverters enhance refracturing cost-effectiveness by 20%?
In production and resource extraction contexts, prioritize solutions that are low-cost, self-managing, and minimize post-operation cleanup to maximize economic returns and operational efficiency. Evidence: SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (2015).
Why does "Self-removing particulate diverters enhance refracturing cost-effectiveness by 20%" matter for design?
This approach directly impacts the economic viability of mature oil and gas fields by enabling cost-effective restimulation. By minimizing operational complexity and material waste, it presents a more sustainable and profitable strategy for resource extraction.
How can designers apply this research?
In production and resource extraction contexts, prioritize solutions that are low-cost, self-managing, and minimize post-operation cleanup to maximize economic returns and operational efficiency.
What were the main findings?
Self-removing particulate diverters are a low-cost, easy-to-implement solution for refracturing.. This method effectively restores conductivity and remediates blockages in wellbores.. Refracturing treatments using these diverters demonstrated economic viability through increased EUR.
What research method was used?
Case study analysis and comparative performance evaluation..
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2015 journal from SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing or evaluating processes for resource extraction or infrastructure maintenance, investigate methods that incorporate self-actuating or self-degrading components to reduce labor and material costs associated with intervention and cleanup.
What are the limitations?
The effectiveness and specific design customization may vary significantly based on the geological characteristics of the reservoir and the original well completion.
Is there evidence that self-removing particulate affects design outcomes?
The research found that using self-removing particulate diverters in well refracturing is a cost-effective strategy that successfully boosts oil and gas production by restoring well conductivity. This approach directly impacts the economic viability of mature oil and gas fields by enabling cost-effective restimulation. Source: SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (2015).
Where does this particulate diverters research apply?
Petroleum engineering, specifically the refracturing of horizontal unconventional reservoirs. It sits within commercial production research on designdex.org.

Related research topics

self-removing particulate design research · evidence on self-removing particulate · does self-removing particulate improve design outcomes · particulate diverters studies for designers · self-removing particulate and particulate diverters findings · commercial production research evidence