Evolving Completion Technologies Mitigate Proppant Flowback

Abstract

Abstract The concept of "cutting costs at any cost" leads to poor short-term focused decisions which can result in higher total costs in the future. In many instances, any dollars saved in the initial completion are more than offset by costs incurred later in the life of the well. One such example is the operational difficulty and costs incurred in dealing with proppant flowback after fracturing operations are completed. In many such cases, a post-fracture cleanout is required before turning the well over to production, and subsequent additional cleanouts can be required after three to six months of production. This paper will examine the application of a completion methodology which has proven to minimize the inflow of proppant during both the fracture treatment, and during subsequent production. With minimal additional costs associated with the use of the method, the savings result in a benefit to profitability and capital preservation.