How Conventional Drilling Works
Conventional oil wells use traditional drilling techniques: they are drilled vertically to reach underground reservoirs of oil and gas. Once this drilling is finished and has reached the targeted zone, the well’s casing is perforated. This perforation serves to open up both the targeted zone and the surrounding area. However, a traditional well can only access natural gas and oil in the immediately surrounding area found at the end of the well.
How Hydraulic Fracturing Works
A hydraulically fractured well can be drilled either vertically or horizontally. Once the targeted zone has been reached, the well is perforated, and the hydraulic fracturing process begins.
Hydraulic fracturing is a multi-day process during which high-pressure fluids are pumped into the well and rock formation under high pressure. This fracturing fluid is typically comprised of .5% chemicals, 9.5% sand, and 90% water. The fluid expands within the perforations, which causes it to open, or fracture, the rock. This allows any tightly packed oil or gas to be released from the porous rock.
While traditional drilling is only done vertically, hydraulic fracturing can expand from 100 to 2,000 feet horizontally in order to better capture oil and gas within each layer or zone that has been fractured.
Benefits of Hydraulic Fracturing
Hydraulic fracturing is used many reasons, especially:
● Connecting the full vertical extent of a reservoir to a horizontal or slanted well
● Increasing the flow rate of oil or gas from low-permeability reservoirs
● Connecting natural fractures or cleats in a formation to the wellbore
● Increasing the flow rate of oil or gas from damaged wells
● Decreasing the pressure drop around a well to minimize sand production
● Increasing the area of drainage or amount of formation in contact with the wellbore
● Decreasing the pressure drop around a well to minimize problems with asphaltene and paraffin deposition
● Enhancing gravel-packing sand placement
Hydraulic Fracking Liner, Frac Pad Liners, Frac Tank Liners, and Containment Solutions
As an American-owned and operated business, BTL Liners proudly provides containment solutions that assist hydraulic fracking operations across the globe. With nearly 40 years in business and an 84,000 square foot fabrication facility, our team is equipped to make the largest geomembrane panels in the industry. This allows us to help you with your project, no matter how big or small.
Our team also provides installation assistance both onsite and over the phone. For more information, you can view past projects or contact our team. We look forward to speaking with you.
