The Haynesville Shale and Hydraulic Fracturing

Drilling a horizontal well is just half the story. The next vital step is completing the well. In the case of a shale gas play like the Haynesville, this means successful, multi-stage hydraulic fracturing of the formation. There are many variables to consider. Here is an example:
Peter

HAYNESVILLE SHALE - HYDRAULIC FRACTURE STIMULATION APPROACH

Mark Parker, Halliburton

Abstract (source)

The Haynesville Shale is an ultra low permeability unconventional gas reservoir located in East Texas and Northwest Louisiana. High gas prices and the success of other shale gas plays have led operators to invest highly in this resource play. It has great potential for development by applying all the new technology that is available in the Oil and Gas Industry today. Hydraulic fracturing is required to realize the potential of this reservoir. The nature of the formation requires that it be addressed on its own merits and not be considered an analog to other shale reservoirs. Therefore, cookbook recipes for fracture stimulation treatments will not lead to the optimum production results.

A critical evaluation of the target zones and the boundary layers is necessary for an accurate treatment design using available fracture simulators. An understanding of the formation characteristics and how they impact the development of fracture geometry and proppant placement can lead to improved success.

This paper will review the design process and the technologies that are required to achieve the best production results. Examples of pumping schedules and fracture design output are presented to illustrate the following: * Design approach * Isolation mechanism (pump down technology, CT technology, e-coil) for horizontal completions * Fracture design tools (process logs to identify correct fracture initiation points, fracture design programs, DFIT, Microseismic fracture mapping) * Fluid systems and additives * Proppant recommendations