Eagle Ford completion technology is evolving as it needs to if operators want to remain competitive. Operators have lots of theories, but the proof is in the pudding. Drilling and completing wells is the only real way to test new technologies. That technology is needed as we experience rising service costs, along with natural gas prices of $4 per mcf and oil prices that look to be below $90 for the foreseeable future. $90 a barrel isn’t bad, but it isn’t $100.
Petrohawk was the first to announce a major change in completion technology by using Schlumberger’s Hi-way Frac system. SLB refers to it as “HiWay Flow Channel Fracturing”. Fancy name and all, nobody really cares unless it delivers. For Petrohawk, it looks to have done just that. Petrohawk had utilized hiway fracs in 12 wells that had a production history of 90 days or more as of June. Those 12 wells had produced 32% more at a pressure 42% higher than other wells with a choke (18/64ths). More production at a higher pressure is about as good as it gets. The higher pressure indicates better overall communication, which is great in tight shale rocks. We’ll hear more about hiway fracs as operators test it in other parts of the Eagle Ford and in other plays. Read more on Schlumberger’s HiWay Flow Channel Fracturing at
