What an amazing ride the past few years have been in the world of hydraulic fracturing. The technique and its application have matured considerably from the days when hydraulic fracturing was often a bigger hammer of more pressure, water, sand and the kitchen sink if it would fit. The shale plays needed permeability to release the hydrocarbons trapped inside, but what worked in one play did not often translate into another. Operators learned that experimentation was key and that as lateral lengths and proppant loads increase, so do production returns.

This month E&P takes a look at the technologies making a significant impact in the Eagle Ford Shale of South Texas. We also review how one pressure pumping company through its selection and procurement of its equipment from a single source rather than piecemeal has delivered significant reliability and uptime results for its customers.

Other articles examine new microproppants, how new chemical diverters are making inroads in the Delaware Basin as well as a look at where one company sees the proppant markets in the year ahead.

Advances in hydraulic fracturing will continue to generate greater efficiencies, increased production and improved market clarity for operators for years to come.

Read E&P's January cover stories below:

Dug Eagle Ford: Hydraulic fracturing panel discusses new technologies, techniques

Microproppants unlock the potential of secondary fractures

Blowing the Permian curve

NOV builds single-sourced hydraulic fracturing fleet for Legend Energy Services

Proppant demand forecast for Bakken, Permian

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