Equipment Consideration for Continuous High-Horsepower Fracturing Operations

Abstract

Abstract In the drive to improve the economics of shale gas plays, producersare drilling more wells per pad and continually developing new techniques to maximize efficiency, reduce setup costs and optimize completion process. Through careful project planning and logistics, simultaneous 24 hour operations can be achieved. As a result, equipment is often required to operate with minimal maintenance time. The typical mobile fracturing equipment used in these operations is being operated similarly to a process plant environment and is expected to operate in excess of 18 hours per day for consecutive months, contrary to its intended design. These operationsare primarily performed in shale formations employing stimulation treatments involvingabrasive slick waterpumped at high pressureand high flow rate.Also, the increased work cycles often lead to higher than normal erosion and fatigue frequencyinthe pumping equipment and flow lines, in comparison to conventional stimulation methods. The paradigm shift in these fracturing operations has led to the re-evaluation of current equipment design. With data taken from a successful fracturing campaign in the Horn River Basin of Northeastern BC, this paper will discuss the challenges encountered in thisproject, the design limitation of conventional fracturing equipment and considerationsfor new equipment design which includes fuel delivery, flow line management, and equipment logistics.