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Permalink Reply by Aubrey C. Sanders, Jr. on October 23, 2010 at 10:56

Pipeliner, Another great posting and good example of technological advancement. Looks like this will reduce frack costs considerably.
It appears to me that it reduces risk of something going wrong. I have seen potentially good wells reduced to mediocure wells by pump failure during fracking. Unfortunately I own WI in one of them. However, I know that there is no such thing as foolproof procedure. Thanks for posting this.

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Permalink Reply by Pipeliner on October 23, 2010 at 12:25

Aubrey,

J found an article about this process in Chevron's monthly magazine "NEXT", but could not find a link to it on the internet.

Initially the process is more expensive than a water-based frac, but does have advantages of being a "closed" system, eliminates long clean up periods, and does not damage the reserviour rock. It is claimed that this new system will carry the proppant into the fracture further than water will, creating longer, effective fractures.

The LPG eventually vaporizes, mixing with the formation's natural gas and returning to the surface. It saves the driller substantial cleanup and disposal costs. Additionally, the LPG can be recycled and used for other purposes or to liquidfy and fracture another well. It also illiminate the need of flaring.

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Permalink Reply by P.G. on October 23, 2010 at 14:16

How would they separate the LPG from the NG to reuse it?

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Permalink Reply by dbob on October 23, 2010 at 14:29

probably with a JT unit at a processing plant, or possibly skid mounted onsite and/or a cryoplant

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Permalink Reply by LP on October 23, 2010 at 13:48

Very interesting. The animated comparison of standard fracturing and LPG fracturing was very interesting.

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