Next* Magazine, Issue 4 - Chevron

More documents

Recommendations

Info

A Breakthrough in FracturingA new hydraulic fracturing fluid increasesproduction without using water resourcesMike Langill, safety manager for GASFRAC,explains that all equipment is operatedremotely using process logic controllers,remote observers, continuous gas monitorsand closed-circuit television.If the prediction continues to hold trueand the era of easy energy is behind us,then technologies that increase the yieldof new or existing crude oil and natural gaswells are of extraordinary value. A newfracturing fluid using liquefied petroleumgas (LPG) to improve the productivity oflow-permeability reservoirs is one suchtechnology.Hydraulic fracturing is a technique usedto create fissures, or fractures, that extendfrom the well bore into rock formations.These fractures allow oil and gas to travelmore easily to the production well from thepores, where it is trapped.At Chevron Energy Technology Co., engineersand scientists recognized the needfor a significant improvement in fracturingtechnology. Wells often experienced longcleanup periods in tight gas sands in southTexas when using water-based fracturingfluids. A better fracturing fluid was needed;LPG ultimately became the natural choice.“When fracturing oil or natural gaswells, water-based products are often thefluids of choice,” said Tim Magner, generalmanager of reservoir and productionengineering. “While water has been usedfor decades with much success, it has drawbacksfor ultralow-permeability reservoirs.PHOTO: JIM MACDONALD6 | Next*
Here and NowVast resources of crude oil and natural gas lietrapped in reservoirs of low-permeability sandand shale, such as the rock at left.PHOTOS: CENTER, ©2010 INACIO PIRES/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; RIGHT, JIM MACDONALDTo fracture today’s tight formations, youneed millions of gallons of water, which createslogistical and environmental obstacles.Additionally, water can damage the reservoirrock, resulting in decreasing yields.”Finding a substitute for water-basedfracturing fluids was no easy task. The fluidneeded to be nondamaging to tight rocks yethave sufficient viscosity to carry proppant—usually sand or a ceramic material—that propsthe fractures open. The fluid couldn’t blockthe pores, or fractures, and had to be safe touse, for both workers and the environment.LPG became a clear choice, and after severalyears of research, testing and patenting,Chevron commercialized the fluid. Chevronlicensed the LPG fracturing fluid technologyto GASFRAC Energy Services Inc., headquarteredin Calgary, Alberta, Canada.“GASFRAC Energy Services developed apumping process that uses a closed, pressurizedsystem,” said Magner. “At moderatepressure and ambient temperature, theLPG—mostly propane—can be gelled andviscosified. This enables the LPG to carryproppant farther into the hydraulic fracturethan water typically can, creating longer,effective fractures.”The LPG eventually vaporizes, mixing withthe formation’s natural gas and returningto the surface. “Gasification is crucial to thevalue of LPG,” said Stacey Walker of ChevronEnergy Technology Co. “Dollar for dollar,LPG is more expensive than water. But whenit gasifies and flows back through the well,it saves the driller substantial cleanup anddisposal costs. Additionally, the LPG can berecycled and used for other purposes or toliquefy and fracture another well.“By using LPG, we are able to realize ahigher yield of gas or oil,” Walker continued,“and we don’t take water away from otheruses or have the demanding logistics oftransporting millions of gallons of water toa well. We’re friendlier to the environment,and the flow-back costs—the time and effortof recovering, filtering and reusing the fluid—are drastically reduced. It’s exciting to usethis technology and have a positive effect onour industry.” ■Next* | 7
Page 1: Next ** The Next Generation of Ener
Page 4 and 5: Here and NowEnvisioning perfectoil
Page 6 and 7: Here and NowTransforming Informatio
Page 10 and 11: Here and NowNew oil supplies from t
Page 12 and 13: Uncovering the Vast ResoGoA worker
Page 14 and 15: Within the vast water wilderness, o
Page 16 and 17: Barrow Island: Chevron’s Track Re
Page 18 and 19: (continued from page 15)back pressu
Page 20 and 21: Innovative Survey Techniques Minimi
Page 22 and 23: In western Kazakhstan, Gulfara Mukh
Page 24 and 25: Investing in Next-Generation Resear
Page 26 and 27: Senior technologyconsultant Kevyn R
Page 28 and 29: Renner immerses himself in a virtua
Page 30 and 31: Operators Tedi Kusyanto and Sutono
Page 32 and 33: Purpose-grown energy crops such as
Page 34 and 35: ‘Renewables can play an important
Page 36 and 37: Next*: What is Chevron Technology V
Page 38 and 39: ThePipelinInnovationIn-house ventur
Page 40 and 41: 38 | Next*Manager Michelle Long and
Page 42 and 43: Chevron researchers Yunguan Liu and
Page 44 and 45: Shiningthe Lighton SolarTechnologEx
Page 46 and 47: Chevron and the University ofCalifo
Page 48 and 49: Next GenerationRising to theOccasio
Page 50 and 51: Next GenerationKrista Heidersbach:C
Page 52: Chevron CorporationA-2P.O. Box 6078

Next* Magazine, Issue 4 - Chevron

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?