Hydraulic Fracturing Consulting: Optimizing Frac Jobs to Reduce Cost and Improve Performance
No one knows for sure how a formation will accept a fracture stimulation treatment until pumping begins. Some operators will pump the job “as designed” like a “cookie-cutter” with minimal to no changes in the pump schedule and live with the consequences. Other operators hire IPT to provide a stimulation specialist to work with the service company and the operator’s team to optimize fracture stimulation treatments.
IPT was recently working with Crawley Petroleum Corporation in western Oklahoma, where a cost savings of approximately $90,000 was achieved on a two-mile lateral, 45-stage well in the Meramec formation.
The Challenge
The primary job of the IPT stimulation specialist is to help the operator and the service company place the optimum treatment possible under the conditions and limitations of the reservoir, wellbore configuration, surface equipment, chemicals on location, and even the weather.
The Approach
The IPT stimulation specialist monitors a host of information and data acquired during the hydraulic fracture treatment to help the service company place the very best stimulation treatment possible within the given constraints previously noted.
The Solution
IPT trains stimulation specialists to interpret how the fracture treatment is progressing by evaluating treatment pressure, chemical additives, treatment fluid, slurry rate, and proppant concentration response as they enter the formation.
Depending on how the formation reacts to the treatment plan, the stimulation specialist can adjust the treatment schedule to minimize pump time, optimize hydraulic horsepower, and minimize the materials needed to place the fracture treatment.
The Results
These adjustments can result in cost savings across multiple categories, including hydraulic horsepower, pump time, and minimizing chemical and water volumes. These savings can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars depending on the magnitude of reduction in these categories.
IPT was recently working with Crawley Petroleum Corporation in western Oklahoma, where a cost savings of approximately $90,000 was achieved on a two-mile lateral, 45-stage well in the Meramec formation. This net savings considers all IPT consulting charges in the total well cost.
“We’ve been using IPT consultants on the completion side for several years and will continue to do so. The consultants are respectful, knowledgeable, and professional. Our management can rest at ease knowing IPT is on location.”
— John Thomas, Crawley Petroleum
Project Highlights
- $90K savings
- Over 45 stages
- In a 2-mile lateral
Hydraulic fracturing consulting involves expert oversight and optimization of frac operations, particularly during execution. It is important because it allows operators to adapt to real-time reservoir behavior instead of relying solely on pre-designed treatment plans.
By monitoring pressure, fluid behavior, and proppant placement during pumping, engineers can adjust the treatment schedule to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance fracture effectiveness.
Savings can come from reduced pump time, lower hydraulic horsepower requirements, and minimized use of chemicals and water. In this case, the optimization resulted in approximately $90,000 in cost savings.
Completion consulting services go beyond initial design by actively managing and optimizing the treatment during execution. This ensures the final outcome aligns with actual formation conditions rather than assumptions.
These services are most valuable during complex or high-cost completions where uncertainty is high and the ability to adjust in real time can significantly impact performance and cost.
If you are planning a frac program and want to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and optimize performance, IPT Well Solutions can help.
Our team provides experienced field support and engineering expertise to ensure your stimulation treatments deliver the best possible results.