Single-Shot Perforating System Maximizes Cluster Efficiency

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Perforation efficiency is defined as the percentage of perforations that take treatment fluid during fracturing operations. Typically, this would be in the range of 60% to 70%. To improve perforation efficiency, modern well designs increasingly call for limited-entry perforating techniques and single-shot perforating systems that deliver larger and more consistent entry hole diameters. The goal is to ensure more uniform distribution of frac fluid in each cluster to develop more uniform frac wings, maximize stimulated rock volume, placed sand and ultimately boost well productivity.

DynaEnergetics’ DS LoneStar provides engineers with a single-shot perforating system with near-perfect perforation efficiency.

An in-plane, single-shot perforating system equipped with a variety of LoneStar formation-tuned shaped charges delivers extreme reservoir contact and near 100% cluster efficiency. Available in both externally oriented and standard models, it delivers large, ultra-consistent entry hole diameters that enable greater area open to flow and greatly increased formation contact area. Its sub-less, unibody design makes it the most compact, single-shot system for unconventional wells.

DS LoneStar is unmatched in explosive net energy delivered to the formation, length optimization, entry hole uniformity and overall downhole performance. 

Case study

Two companies perforated multiple wells using different perforating technologies in multiple stages of each well. Conditions such as pump rate, proppant concentration and chemicals were all comparable.

The perforating design required an entry hole of 0.40-inch diameter, one shot per cluster oriented straight up at 0 degrees and 16 clusters per stage.

This article discusses results of two wells, but it should be noted that other wells showed comparable results.

• Well A: Lower Sprayberry Formation: test featuring five stages perforated with DS LoneStar and pumped with high-viscosity friction reducer fluids at 75 bbl/min, with no rate increase. 
• Well B: Jo Mill Formation: test featuring seven stages perforated with DS LoneStar and pumped with slickwater fluid at 85 bbl/min. 

The pressure-rate-concentration curves overlayed for multiple stages show a significant reduction in treatment pressure for DS LoneStar (blue curves) compared to the other systems (red and green curves). DS LoneStar’s near-perfect perforation efficiency, with lower perforation friction, leads to uniform fluid distribution.

It is evident that average treating pressures are consistently lower for stages using the DS LoneStar system—in this application, 1,400 to 1,600 psi (18% to 21%) lower.

Average Treatment Pressure for Well A and Well B

Pressure Rate Concentration Curve: Well A

Pressure Rate Concentration Curve: Well B

Conclusions and observations

DS LoneStar delivered 100% perforation/cluster efficiency, more guns per stage or an “easier to pump” shorter gun string, significant reduction in treatment pressure of 1,400 to 1,600 psi (18% to 21%) and considerable increase in operational efficiency.

DS LoneStar’s perforation and downhole performance has a measurable impact on safety, operational efficiency,  completion cost and ultimately on well productivity. With DS LoneStar, completion engineers can deliver highly uniform entry holes, control perforation friction and maximize cluster efficiency for better stimulation results. 

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