Survey Demographics

Although some use of crosslink gel is reported in higher pressure plays such as the Scoop and Stack in western Oklahoma, operators on balance overwhelmingly prefer slickwater fracture stimulation in the Midcontinent.

The only change in fracking technique is the fact that operators are delaying completions on wells after they have been drilled, awaiting an improvement in commodity prices before moving forward.

Average proppant use is about 225,000 pounds per stage on 220-foot spacing with three to four perforation clusters per stage. In the current environment, operators are sticking with what works with no plans to change anything until commodity prices recover.

Pad drilling is still common and ranges between three and four wells per pad. However, operators are only completing one well at a time in the current economic climate in many cases.

Zipper fracks represent 54% of completions and made a comeback vs. the low level reported in the July survey. Zipper frack market share can be a derivative for understanding trends in drilled but uncompleted wells.

Survey respondents pegged proppant use per well at 6.3 million pounds, almost entirely consisting of bulk commodity sand. This was down from the 10 million pounds reported in July, but this survey focused more on the Mississippian and central Oklahoma vs. the deep Anadarko Basin focus in July.

All operators are using enhanced completion techniques on horizontal wells currently.

Watch for the next Midcontinent downhole completion report in January 2015.

Part I. – Survey Findings

Among Survey Participants:

  • Slickwater Dominates Completions
    [See Question 1 on Statistical Review]
    All respondents reported that slickwater is most often used in the Midcontinent region. Two respondents reported some wells are fracked using crosslink gel in plays with higher pressures. The increased use of crosslink gel was reported by respondents working mainly in the Scoop and Stack plays of Oklahoma.
  • No Changes Expected In Near-Term
    [See Question 2 on Statistical Review]
    ​All respondents expect few or no changes in the near term. All reported the same methods are in use and there are few reasons to change until market conditions change.
    • Mid-Tier Provider: “Current methods work so well they are not subject to change. Fracking is just delayed until the economics work better.”
  • Spacing Between Frack Stages Averages 219 Feet
    [See Questions 3a, 3b, 3c on Statistical Review]
    Spacing ranges between 200- to 250 feet in the play and averages about 219 feet. All respondents have kept spacing about the same this year.
    • Mid-Tier Operator: “We see most clients using 200-foot to 250-foot spacing and 200,000 to 250,000 pounds of sand per stage.”
  • Plug And Perf Most Common Fracking Technique
    [See Question 4 on Statistical Review]
    ​All respondents reported that plug and perf completions are the standard fracking technique in the region now. None of the respondents are using sleeve technology currently in Midcontinent.
    • Mid-Tier Service Provider: “Plug and perf remains the method of choice in the region. Few operators ask for sliding sleeves here currently.”
  • Downhole Tools, Service Providers Sufficient
    [See Question 5a and 5b on Statistical Review]
    ​Six of seven respondents reported that the number of downhole tool providers is sufficient. However, one believes there is still excessive supply. No new downhole tools or methods are reported in the play.
    • Mid-Tier Operator: “There are no new methods being offered since everything works really well at present.”
  • Multi-Well Pads Average 3-4 Wells Per Pad
    [See Question 6 on Statistical Review]
    Average number of regional wells reported per pad is about four. All report three to four well pads are most common.
    • Mid-Tier Operator: “Even though most use four well pads, many are drilling and completing only one at a time until the price recovers.”
  • Zipper Fracks Account For 54% of Completions; Solo Fracks Account For Remainder
    [See Question 7 on Statistical Review]
    ​The percentage of zipper frack completions reported among respondents is 54%, more than the 36% reported in July. The remaining 46% of wells are fracked using the solo frack on one well at a time.
    • Mid-Tier Operator: “Zipper fracks are used, but on fewer wells at a time since drilling and completion work has slowed considerably.”
  • Sand Remains Most Common Proppant
    [See Question 8a and 8b on Statistical Review]
    Natural sand is reported as the most common proppant in the region, averages about 6.2 million pounds per well, and is used on 100% of wells fracked in the area. Respondents reported 40/70 sand and 100 mesh are most common. Some respondents mentioned using 30/50 sand.
  • Virtually All Horizontal Completions Considered “Enhanced”
    [See Question 9a and 9b on Statistical Review]
    All respondents reported that horizontal completions always involve enhanced methods now. Enhanced completions in the area consist of increased sand volumes, longer laterals and three to four perf sets per stage. Few changes have occurred even with low oil and gas prices because enhanced methods drive efficiency.

End Survey Findings

Survey Demographics

H A R T E N E R G Y researchers completed interviews with seven industry participants in the downhole completions segment in the Midcontinent region. Participants include four sales professionals with well service companies and three completions managers for E&P companies. Interviews were conducted during early to mid-October 2015.

Part II. – Statistical Review

Downhole Completions

[Midcontinent]

Total Respondents = 7

[Fracking Service Providers = 4, Operators = 3]

1. What common practices are used in your area for completions?

Slickwater:

7*

*Two respondents mentioned using crosslink gel in higher pressure areas.


2. Do you see that changing over the next three to six months?

No changes expected:

7


3a. Is spacing between stages closer now than a year ago?

Same:

7


3b. What is the average distance between frack stages in your area?

200- to 300-foot spacing:

7

Average spacing:

~219 feet


3c. How are you fine-tuning your frack program downhole?

Large sand volume slickwater:

7

Also mentioned large volume water and high rate:

2


4. What fracking technique is most common in your area?

Plug and perf:

7


5a. Would you characterize the supply of downhole tools in your area as excessive, sufficient or insufficient to meet late 2015 demand?

Sufficient:

6

Excessive:

1


5b. Are there any new downhole tools being tried in your area?

Nothing new:

7


6. What is the average number of wells being completed per pad in your area?

Three to four wells:

4

Four wells:

3

Average:

~4 wells per pad


7. What percentage of fracks drilled from pads are zipper fracks vs. individual fracks?

Zipper Frack

Stack Frack

# Responses

75%

25%

1

80%

20%

1

25%

75%

1

50%

50%

4

Average 54%

Average 46%

7


8a. How much proppant (in pounds) are you using per well?

4-6 million pounds:

6

10-12 million pounds:

1

Average per well:

~6.2 million pounds


8b. On a percentage basis, how much proppant in your area is used by type?

Average Among Respondents

Natural sand* only:

100%

*Sand Usage:

  • 40/70 most common;
  • 100 mesh second most common; and
  • 30/50 several mentions.


9a. Looking at the entirety of completions in your area, how many would you estimate to be "enhanced completions" and how would you best describe them?

All respondents said 100% of completions are enhanced and use high sand volumes. Several respondents also described using high water volumes and high barrels per minute rates to enhance results.


9b. How many perf clusters are typical between stages? Is that more or less than six months ago?

All respondents agreed that perf clusters are within the range of three to four sets per stage with none reporting an increase during the past six months.


End Statistical Survey

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