Synopsis

Enhanced completion techniques developed in the oil basins are establishing a small beachhead in the Haynesville Shale, though completion practices for the most part remain static across the dry gas shale basins. Stage spacing remains at the high end of industry practice currently at more than 390 feet on average versus the low to mid-200 feet range in liquids plays. However, operators are adopting greater proppant loading from the crude oil plays and attempting to increase lateral length when possible. Average sand use in the Haynesville, for example, now tops 7.75 million pounds—up from 2.2 million pounds one year ago. Also of note, less than 50% of wells are completed via zipper frack methodology, among the lowest percentage in any domestic market, though a portion of that appears related to the backlog of wells drilled but not completed. Watch for the next dry gas basin downhole completion report in July 2015.

Part I. – Survey Findings

Among Survey Participants:

  • Slickwater is Dominant Across the Region
    [See Question 1 on Statistical Review]
    ​Most respondents reported the slickwater technique dominates fracking practices in the region compared to fracks using gel. However, the Haynesville Shale may be the exception with some gel use reported. The dry gas Woodford uses mostly slickwater.
    • Top-Tier Service Provider: “Slickwater fracks dominate North Texas and southern Oklahoma, but more crosslink may still be in use in the Haynesville.”
  • No Fracking Method Changes in Near-Term
    [See Question 2 on Statistical Review]
    ​Respondents agreed that no changes in fracking methods are expected during the next few months, although longer stages with more perf clusters are becoming a trend.
    • Top-Tier Operator: "We aren’t seeing any new methods, and things are likely to remain static for now with big high sand volume stages in straight slickwater fracks.”
  • Spacing Between Frack Stages ~390-ft.
    [See Questions 3a, 3b, 3c on Statistical Review]
    ​Most respondents said that spacing remains the same—ranging between 300-ft. to 500-ft. per stage—but three mentioned longer stages, for an average of 391-ft. per stage among respondents.
    • Mid-Tier Service Provider: “We are seeing slightly longer laterals with more perf clusters and high sand volume. There are fewer stages overall, but similar sand volumes used in each lateral.”
  • Plug and Perf Most Common Fracking Technique
    [See Question 4 on Statistical Review]
    ​All respondents reported that Plug and Perf completions are most common and continue to produce great results in the region.
    • Top-Tier Service Provider: “At least for now, the plug and perf method continues to dominate this region.”
  • Downhole Tools, Service Providers Sufficient
    [See Question 5a and 5b on Statistical Review]
    ​All respondents reported that the number of downhole tool providers is sufficient within the region and few new tools have been introduced.
    • Mid-Tier Operator: “There are few changes in downhole tools now. The one new thing is our Nitrogen MVP system. We are also seeing more requests for dissolving plugs.”
  • Three-Well Pads Becoming More Common, But Completion Delays Slow Zipper Use
    [See Question 6 on Statistical Review]
    Five of eight respondents reported three- to four-well pads are becoming more common in the area with an average three wells per pad.
  • Solo Fracks Account for ~60% of Completions
    [See Question 7 on Statistical Review]
    The percentage of solo frack completions among respondents is ~60% of area wells. The remaining 40% of wells are fracked using the zipper frack method. Zipper frack use was increasing prior to the recent completion delays.
  • Sand Remains Most Common Proppant in Region
    [See Question 8a and 8b on Statistical Review]
    Sand is the most common proppant in the region and averages ~7.75 million pounds per well among respondents. This represents an increase of 2 million pounds per well since 2014. Meanwhile, 40/70 and 100 mesh sand are the most common proppants 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 combined Dry Gas Basins, including the Barnett, Haynesville, and traditional Woodford Shale. Participants include six managers or sales engineers with well stimulation companies and two completions engineers with service providers. Interviews were conducted during mid April 2015.

Part II. – Statistical Review

Downhole Completions

[Dry Gas Basin]

Total Respondents = 8
[Service Providers = 8]

1. What common practices are used in your area for completions?
Slickwater: 8*
*Slickwater is dominate, but with several mentioned using gel in the Haynesville.

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

3a. Is spacing between stages closer now than a year ago?
Same spacing: 5
Longer spacing: 3

3b. What is the average distance between frack stages in your area?
250-350 ft. spacing: 4
400-500 ft. spacing: 4
Average: ~391-ft.*
*This is an increase of 25% in stage length since the 4Q14 report.

3c. How are you fine tuning your frack program downhole?
Increased sand volume: 3
Bigger stages with more perfs: 3
Nitrogen MVP* boosted sand distribution: 1
Broadband sequencing in longer stages: 1
*Maximum Volume Placement

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 2014 demand?
Sufficient: 8

5b. Are there any new downhole tools being tried in your area?
No new tools in use: 7
Nitrogen MVP System and dissolving plugs: 1

6. What is the average number of wells being completed per pad n your area?
3-4 wells per pad: 7
1 wells per pad: 1
Average 3 wells per pad*
*This is an increase to three wells per pad, but many operators are choosing singular fracks as some completions are delayed.

7. What percentage of fracks drilled from pads are zipper fracks vs. individual fracks?
Zipper Frack Solo Frack # Responses
25% 75% 1
50% 50% 3
60% 40% 2
35% 65% 1
30% 70% 1
Avg 40% 60% 8

8a. How much proppant (in lbs.) are you using per well?
9-10 million lbs: 4
6-7 million lbs: 4
Average per well: ~7.75 million pounds*
*This is an increase of nearly 2 million pounds in average sand volume

8b. What is the primary proppant type you use for wells in this area?
Sand only*: 8
*Respondents reported 100% of proppant use is natural sand with 40/70 and 100 mesh most common and 20/40 and 30/50 also common.

End Statistical Review