Synopsis

It is all slickwater, all the time in Eagle Ford completions. All respondents reported slickwater fracks using plug and perf completions are now standard and yield the best results in the Eagle Ford with no reports in this survey of sliding sleeve use or the use of linera gels. As many as 50% of wells are drilled but not completed in the Eagle Ford currently. Counter-intuitively, zipper frack market share rose from 58% in the March 2015 survey to 66% currently. Apparently when operators do complete wells, they are doing so on a batch basis. Average proppant use, which is predominately bulk sand with a high percentage of 100 mesh, remains unchanged at 11.75 million pounds per well in this survey. The well stimulation market appears to have stabilized with operators waiting on a directional signal from oil prices before venturing back into the field. Watch for the next Eagle Ford downhole report in September 2015.

Part I. – Survey Findings

Among Survey Participants:

  • Slickwater Dominates Completions
    [See Question 1 on Statistical Review]
    All eight respondents reported that slickwater is used predominately in the Eagle Ford. The use of crosslink has declined as a cost-saving measure for operators.
  • No Changes Expected in Near-Term
    [See Question 2 on Statistical Review]
    ​All respondents expect few or no changes in the near term when it comes to completion practices. All report the same methods are in use and few reasons to change until conditions change.
    • Mid-Tier Provider: “Everyone is happy with current methods. Few changes are expected other than in pricing and delayed fracks.”
  • Spacing between Frack Stages Average 265-ft.
    [See Questions 3a, 3b, 3c on Statistical Review]
    Spacing ranges between 200- to 300 feet in the play and averages about 265 feet. Most respondents have kept spacing about the same this year, but two mentions were made of new data showing closer spacing intervals and lower pumping rates improving frack results.
  • 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 Eagle Ford now. None of the respondents are using sleeve technology currently.
    • Mid-Tier Service Provider: “Eagle Ford wells respond best to plug and perf. This method will likely continue to dominate.”
  • Downhole Tools, Service Providers Sufficient
    [See Question 5a and 5b on Statistical Review]
    ​Five of eight respondents reported that the number of downhole tool providers is sufficient within the region due to lower demand. No mentions were made of new tools or techniques. Three respondents continue to report supply is excessive for market conditions.
    • Mid-Tier Service Provider: “Most companies balanced the falling demand with layoffs. Things should be okay until the price recovers and then the guys will be hard to get back.”
  • Average of ~4 Wells per Pad
    [See Question 6 on Statistical Review]
    Average number of wells per pad is about four and all respondents are reporting the number of wells per pad as either three or four wells.
  • Zipper Fracks Stable at ~66% of Completions
    [See Question 7 on Statistical Review]
    The percentage of zipper frack completions among respondents is now about 66%; the remaining about 34% continues to be solo fracks. The trend continues as operators search for more efficiency.
  • Natural Sand Remains Most Common Proppant
    [See Question 8a and 8b on Statistical Review]
    ​Sand is reported as the most common proppant in the region and averages about 11.75 million pounds per well among respondents with 100 mesh and 40/70 sand most common. Respondents reported that nearly all wells use 100% natural sand as proppant.
    • Mid-Tier Service Provider: “We continue to see huge volumes of natural sand dominate the play. 100 mesh is dominant with some 40/70 and 30/50 in use.”

End Survey Findings

Survey Demographics

H A R T E N E R G Y researchers completed interviews with eight industry participants in the downhole completions service segment in the Eagle Ford region. Participants include eight managers or sales engineers with well stimulation companies. Interviews were conducted during mid June 2015.

Part II. – Statistical Review

Downhole Completions

[Eagle Ford Shale]

Total Respondents = 8

[Service Providers = 8]

1. What common practices are used in your area for completions?
Slickwater Only: 8

2. Do you see that changing over the next three to six months?
No specific changes expected: 8

3a. Is spacing between stages closer now than a year ago?
Same spacing: 6
Shorter intervals: 2

3b. What is the average distance between frack stages in your area?
200 ft. spacing: 2
300 ft. spacing: 3
250-300 ft. spacing: 3
Average: ~265 ft.

3c. How are you fine tuning your frack program downhole?
Straight slickwater, high volume sand: 5
Lots of sand, closer intervals, lower rate: 2
No real changes: 1

4. What fracking technique is most common in your area?
Plug and Perf: 8

5a. Would you characterize the supply of downhole tools in your area as excessive, sufficient or insufficient to meet early 2015 demand?
Sufficient: 5
Excessive: 3

5b. Are there any new downhole tools being tried in your area?
Nothing new: 8

6. What is the average number of wells being completed per pad in your area?
3-4 wells: 4
4 wells: 4
Average wells per pad ~4

7. What percentage of fracks drilled from pads are zipper fracks vs. individual fracks?
Zipper Frack Stack Frack # Responses
80% 20% 1
75% 25% 2
70% 30% 1
60% 40% 3
50% 50% 1
Avg 66% 34% 8

8a. How much proppant (in pounds) are you using per well?
10 million lbs: 2
10-15 million lbs.: 1
Average per well: ~11.75 million pounds

8b. Could you give a percentage estimate of how much proppant in your area is used by type?
Sand* only: 100%
*Respondents reported 100 mesh and 40/70 sand most common, but 30/50 was also mentioned

End Statistical Findings