Schedule
Monday, October 15
This seminar covers the fundamental principles concerning how hydraulic fracturing treatments can be used to stimulate oil and gas wells. It includes discussions on how to select wells for stimulation, what controls fracture propagation, fracture width, etc., how to develop data sets, and how to calculate fracture dimensions. The seminar also covers information concerning fracturing fluids, propping agents, and how to design and pump successful fracturing treatments.
Topics
Rock mechanics/in-situ stress aspects of fracturing
Reservoir aspects of fracturing
Fracture mechanics
Fracture design variables
Perforating for fracturing
Fracture diagnostics
Tuesday, October 16
Opening Remarks:
H.E. Salim Al-Aufi
Undersecretary
Ministry of Oil and Gas
Sultanate of Oman
Ali Al-Gheithy
Conference Chairman
Petroleum Engineering Director
Petroleum Development Oman

Darcy Spady
2018 SPE President
Broadview Energy
Keynote Address:
Andy Krieger
Head of Global Wells
BP
Moderators:
Ali Al-Gheithy
Petroleum Engineering Director
Petroleum Development Oman
Paul Forman
Vice President, Technical Functions & Performance
BP
Panellists:
Hamad M. Al-Marri
Manager Southern Area Production Engineering
Saudi Aramco
Salim Al-Sikaiti
Gas Director
Petroleum Development Oman

Matt Gillard
Vice President Production Group
Schlumberger
Richard Gonzalez
Senior Vice President, Completion and Production Division
Halliburton

C. Mark Pearson
President and CEO
Liberty Resources LLC
As the industry wrestles with another price cycle, making sense of the world in which the oil and gas industry will operate is important to understanding the actions (by engineers, corporations, and governments) which must be taken today so that the oil and gas industry may prosper in the future. Hydraulic fracturing has been touted as a ‘new technology’ (though a misnomer) which is opening access to un-tapped value (in the USA) and lowering the cost of energy across the globe by shifting the balance between supply and demand. Wide approval in the USA has not always translated to acceptance elsewhere. Is fracturing the answer to all ills and can it be exported from the continental USA to other nations, further reducing the cost of supply? What are the economic and political barriers to success?
The conference will be committed to describing and debating engineering challenges faced by the fracturing community including the successes (and failures) to date. This plenary is aimed at discussing the context against which that community operates, to better understand investment choices going forward.
Moderators:
Ali Al Lawati
Managing Director Oman
Schlumberger
John Davis
MENAP Region Technology Manager
Halliburton
Panellists:
Ghaithan Al-Muntasheri
Chief Technologist Production
Saudi Aramco
Gwendolyn Anson
General Manager Unconventional Technology
Shell International E&P
Ronald R. Dusterhoft
Technology Fellow
Halliburton
Philippe Herve
Vice President of Oil & Gas Solutions
SparkCognition
Liu Hai
Technical Advisor, Production and Stimulation
Stimulation Domain Manager, Middle East and Asia
Schlumberger
D. Nathan Meehan
Managing Director
Gaffney, Cline & Associates
Digitisation of the oilfield, a trend that is impacting all of us already is happening now! Like other industries, this effort must deliver solutions for our business. We do not need new technology that doesn’t solve our business problems. For years, as an industry, we have been data-rich, however insight poor, all that could be changing.
Big data analytics, driven by increased computing power and new algorithms, accelerate the process of turning this large data collection to insights. It has been shown that big data analytics have created significant value for many industries, yet the energy industry is still in its infancy in creating value from the big data arena. In an era of falling oil prices, big data analytics presenst opportunities to establish more efficient hydrocarbon production, reduce costs and risks, improve safety, enhance regulatory compliance, and generally help make better decisions on the assets.
Technology development coming from artificial intelligence and big data is reshaping how we interact with machines. Automation capabilities and machine learning are opening the door for more possibilities for optimising performance and reliability. Will this change the way we think and deliver hydraulic fracturing in the future? Many argue that our industry is slower than other industries in adapting new technological concepts. Will this impact the pace by which we will evolve hydraulic fracturing? This panel session will answer these important questions.
Time | Paper # | Presentation |
---|---|---|
1400-1420 |
191390
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Completion and Stimulation Design of the First Offshore Acid Fractured Multistage Dual Lateral Well |
1420-1440 |
191431
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Twenty Years, One Fracture and the Future of a North Sea Asset |
1440-1500 |
191408
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Applications of Self-degradable Particulate Diverters in Wellbore Stimulations: Hydraulic Fracturing and Matrix Acidising Case Studies |
1500-1520 |
191444
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Shining a Light on the Formation Damage Bogeyman: A Case Study of Low Loadfluid Recovery and Enhanced Hydrocarbon Production in the Tight Gas Montney Formation of Western Canada |
Time | Paper # | Presentation |
---|---|---|
1400-1420 |
191398
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Vertical Well Fracture Height Growth Prediction in Thick, Condensate-Rich, Stacked Tight Gas Sandstones and Implications for Horizontal Wells |
1420-1440 |
191462
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Analytical Model for Predicting Fracture Initiation Pressure from a Cased and Perforated Wellbore |
1440-1500 |
191433
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Acid Fracturing Productivity Model for Naturally Fractured Carbonate Reservoirs |
1500-1520 |
191396
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Hydraulic Fracture Height Growth: Pseudo-3D vs. Full 3D Modelling |
Alternate |
191456
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A Model for Acid Fracture Conductivity Based on Asperity Deformation with Coupled Normal-Shear Behaviour of Rough Surfaces |
Time | Paper # | Presentation |
---|---|---|
1530-1545 |
191468
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Early Identification of a Potential Unconsolidated Reservoir and the Prevention of Sand Flowback by Incorporating a Liquid-Consolidation Agent with a Fracturing Treatment in Saudi Arabia |
1545-1600 |
191415
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Experimental Investigation on Tool-Free Multi-Stage Acid Fracturing of Open-Hole Horizontal Wells by Using Diversion Agents |
Time | Paper # | Presentation |
---|---|---|
1530-1545 |
191456
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A Model for Acid Fracture Conductivity Based on Asperity Deformation with Coupled Normal-Shear Behaviour of Rough Surfaces |
Time | Paper # | Presentation |
---|---|---|
1600-1620 |
191402
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Achieving Desired Fracture Placement in a Thick and Stratified Reservoir |
1620-1640 |
191422
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Multistage Hydraulic Fracturing Campaign Learning Curve in a Tight Sandstone Reservoir, Offshore West Africa |
1640-1700 |
191440
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Acid Wormholing in Multistage Acid Fractured Wells Completed in Tight Naturally Fractured Dolomite Formation: Benefits and Impacts on Acid Fracturing Stimulation Design |
1700-1720 |
191417
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Best Practices for Frac Pack on High Permeability/Unconsolidated Reservoirs: Experience from Offshore Brazil Operations |
Alternate |
191461
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Minimising Problematic Depletion Effects in Unconventional Reservoir Recompletions: An Engineered Approach to Help Ensure Refracturing Results in Complex Environments |
Time | Paper # | Presentation |
---|---|---|
1600-1620 |
191458
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Good Tests Cost Money, Bad Tests Cost More - A Critical Review of DFIT and Analysis Gone Wrong |
1620-1640 |
191426
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Drilling through Depletion in the Bakken; Using Drill Bit Geomechanics to Inform Fracture Stimulation |
1640-1700 |
191437
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ACA Practical Considerations: When is it Accurate and How Should it be Used to Improve Reservoir Stimulation |
1700-1720 |
191412
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Unlocking Tight Gas Volume with Integrated Multidisciplinary Diagnostic Approach |
Wednesday, October 17
Time | Paper # | Presentation |
---|---|---|
0830-0850 |
191451
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Unconventional Multi-Play Evaluation of Casing-in-Casing Refracturing Treatments |
0850-0910 |
191424
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Polyelectrolyte Complex Stabilised CO2 Foam Systems for Improved Fracture Conductivity and Reduced Fluid Loss |
0910-0930 |
191421
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Early Insights from Various Loadfluid Recoveries after Hydraulic Fracturing Treatments: A Case History of a Developing Unconventional Oil Shale Play in Alberta |
0930-0950 |
191434
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Understanding the Performance of Hydraulically Fractured Wells on Laumontite-Rich Tight Glutenite Formation |
Time | Paper # | Presentation |
---|---|---|
0830-0850 |
191460
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Foamed Acid Fracturing Enables Efficient Stimulation of Low-Pressure Carbonate Reservoirs |
0850-0910 |
191423
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Guidelines for Optimising Acid Fracture Design using an Integrated Acid Fracture and Productivity Model |
0910-0930 |
191409
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Simulation, Design and Application of Acid+Proppant Stimulation in a Carbonate Reservoir |
0930-0950 |
191401
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Pinpoint Fracture Acidising Technology in Tight Carbonate Formation: Improved Recovery, Tuba Reservoir, North Kuwait |
Alternate |
191415
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Experimental Investigation on Tool-Free Multi-Stage Acid Fracturing of Open-Hole Horizontal Wells by Using Diversion Agents |
Time | Paper # | Presentation |
---|---|---|
1000-1015 |
191395
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Using Engineered Low Viscosity Fluid in Hydraulic Fracturing to Enhance Proppant Placement |
Time | Paper # | Presentation |
---|---|---|
1000-1015 |
191447
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3-D Interactions of Hydraulic Fractures with Natural Fractures |
Moderators:
Heimo Muckenschnabl
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
OilSERV
Mark Pearson
President & CEO
Liberty Resources
Panellists:
Bertrand Cesaire
Drilling & Wells Manager Unconventional & Onshore Development
Total
Kevin Mauth
Global Stimulation Domain Head
Schlumberger
Colby Fuser
Vice President of Business Development and Marketing
Middle East, North Africa
Halliburton
Sami I. Haidar
Managing Director
Stimwell Services

Martin Rylance
Vice President GWO Russia and Global Senior Advisor (Frac & Stim)
BP
With over 70 years of industry application, fracturing technologies have proven to be a game changer in the development of both conventional and unconventional resources. However, the North American boom in fracturing services has yet to touch the international arena leaving undeveloped production potential. New ways of doing business and attractive investment propositions may well be required to foster the allocation of resources and capital to support such a global expansion.
This panel will discuss what the industry has done to date, and can do in the future, to provide the necessary service offerings that will allow significant international growth in the application of hydraulic fracturing.
Time | Paper # | Presentation |
---|---|---|
1300-1320 |
191442
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Getting More Out of Your Multistage Fracturing Openhole Completion |
1320-1340 |
191436
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Bypassing the Skepticism to Add the Reserve: A Case of Successful Hydraulic Fracturing in Karim Formation |
1340-1400 |
191430
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Fracture Design and Placement and its Application and Influence on Amin Performance |
1400-1420 |
191428
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Fracture Optimisation of an Unconventional Gas Resource in Southern Chile |
Alternate |
191468
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Early Identification of a Potential Unconsolidated Reservoir and the Prevention of Sand Flowback by Incorporating a Liquid-Consolidation Agent with a Fracturing Treatment in Saudi Arabia |
Time | Paper # | Presentation |
---|---|---|
1300-1320 |
191399
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The Effect of Resin Coated Proppant and Proppant Production on Convergent Flow Skin in Horizontal Wells with Transverse Fractures |
1320-1340 |
191448
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In Situ Generation of Novel Nano-Platelets Under Downhole Conditions Enhances the Strength of Resin Coated Proppants |
1340-1400 |
191407
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Post-Fracturing Production Performance of Small Sized Proppant in Major Unconventional Formations |
1400-1420 |
191463
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Sweet and Sour Fracturing : The Impact of Post-Fracture Clean-Up on H2S and the Reservoir |
Alternate |
191395
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Using Engineered Low Viscosity Fluid in Hydraulic Fracturing to Enhance Proppant Placement |
Alternate |
191438
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Mitigating Proppant Flowback through Surface Treatment of Proppant-Laboratory Studies and Field Performance |
Time | Paper # | Presentation |
---|---|---|
1430-1445 |
191425
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Collapse Failure Analysis of Production String in Hydraulically Fractured Wells |
Time | Paper # | Presentation |
---|---|---|
1430-1445 |
191461
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Minimising Problematic Depletion Effects in Unconventional Reservoir Recompletions: An Engineered Approach to Help Ensure Refracturing Results in Complex Environments |
Time | Paper # | Presentation |
---|---|---|
1500-1520 |
191455
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Twelve Years and Twelve Thousand Multi-Stage Horizontal Wells in the Bakken - How is Industry Continuing to Increase the Cumulative Production per Well? |
1520-1540 |
191391
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Formation Breakdown Pressure Prediction with Artificial Neural Networks |
1540-1600 |
191465
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A Quick Look Approach for Determining Instantaneous Shut-In Pressure (ISIP) and Friction Losses from Hydraulic Fracture Treatment Falloff Data |
1600-1620 |
191400
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Statistical Analysis of Raageshwari Deep Gas Fracturing and Production Logging Data for Understanding Fracture Performance and Future Optimisation |
Alternate |
191459
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An Integrated Analytics Platform for Completion Optimisation and Reservoir Characterisation |
Time | Paper # | Presentation |
---|---|---|
1500-1520 |
191446
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Evaluation of Hydraulic Fracturing Effectiveness by Combined Analysis of Spectral Noise Logging and High Precision Temperature Logging Data and Subsequent Numerical Temperature Modelling |
1520-1540 |
191466
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A Novel Hydraulic Fracture Evaluation Method using Downhole Video Images to Analyse Perforation Erosion |
1540-1600 |
191467
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A Novel Approach to Predicting Improvements in Perforation Cluster Treatment Efficiency |
1600-1620 |
191413
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Is Bigger Always Better? Using Chemical-Tracers to Optimise the Size of your Multistage Fracturing |
Karen Olson
Technology Director
Southwestern Energy
Managing water use and giving back to the environment will be the focus of this Distinguished Lecturer talk. The presentation will highlight the challenges encountered, lessons learned, and best practices encountered when companies implement efforts to become better stewards of freshwater resources. Karen will also review specific case studies related to Southwestern Energy’s “Freshwater Neutral” initiative, successfully achieved in 2016 within all operating divisions.
The case study will cover how in early 2013, a small multi-discipline team was assembled and closely evaluated all elements within the operational water life cycle, identifying cost-competitive ways to optimize the company’s freshwater usage. Key components for success required:
- commitment from company leadership and support across all operations;
- setting achievable, operational goals;
- accounting for all water used;
- applying new completion designs and technologies;
- increasing the use of alternative, non-fresh water, and
- supporting research in groundwater protection and water treatment technologies.
The presentation will cover how the focus areas highlighted above dramatically reduced freshwater requirements by up to 30% in some operating areas and saved the operator over USD 20 million.
The successful work revealed that another component was still required in order for companies to completely offset the need for their remaining freshwater use. The talk will discuss the importance of investing in conservation projects to improve freshwater resources within basins where operations are occurring. Each project should be selected and sponsored to provide both an environmental benefit as well as an economic benefit to the surrounding communities.
Take away message: Achieving a freshwater neutral status requires improvements in everyday work practices and a change in the mindset of water management across a company. As a result, the practices implemented will allow for the use of alternative water sources whenever economically and operationally feasible, and the conservation projects have added value to local communities.
Thursday, October 18
Time | Paper # | Presentation |
---|---|---|
0830-0850 |
191418
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Correlations Between the Economic Value Added and Reservoir and Frac Properties in the Dutch Hydraulic Fracture Portfolio |
0850-0910 |
191416
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First Successful Proppant Fracturing Treatment in Cretaceous Carbonate Formation in Kuwait - Part II (Tuba Reservoir) |
0910-0930 |
191450
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Effective Multistage Hydraulic Fracturing of an Extremely Hot Reservoir: Case History |
0930-0950 |
191469
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Influence of Regional Tectonics and Pore-Pressure Depletion on Tight-Gas Recovery in the Sanga Sanga PSC |
Time | Paper # | Presentation |
---|---|---|
0830-0850 |
191387
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Mapping Stress Profile and Rock Quality Variation in Tight Gas Sandstone Across a Geological Setting |
0850-0910 |
191406
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Utilising In-Situ Mechanical Rock Properties to Target Landing Zones and Improve Completions in the Permian Basin |
0910-0930 |
191389
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Rock Fabric Analysis Based on Borehole Image Logs: Applications to Modelling Fracture Height Growth |
0930-0950 |
191443
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Hydraulic Fracture Experience in an Omani Oil Field |
Alternate |
191447
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3-D Interactions of Hydraulic Fractures with Natural Fractures |
Time | Paper # | Presentation |
---|---|---|
1000-1015 |
191438
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Mitigating Proppant Flowback through Surface Treatment of Proppant-Laboratory Studies and Field Performance |
Time | Paper # | Presentation |
---|---|---|
1000-1015 |
191465
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A Quick Look Approach for Determining Instantaneous Shut-In Pressure (ISIP) and Friction Losses from Hydraulic Fracture Treatment Falloff Data |
Moderators:
Hamed Al-Subhi
Gas Petroleum Engineering Manager
Petroleum Development Oman
Paul Forman
Vice President, Technical Functions & Performance
BP
Panellists:
Michael Byrne
Global Head, Rock Properties Group Energy
Lloyd’s Register
Sandra Flanagan
Unconventional Development Head of Acceptability
Total
Karen Olson
Technology Director
Southwestern Energy
Richard Osmond
Vice President HSE & Process Safety Engineering, Global Wells
BP
Robert Hawkes
Director of Completion Technology
Trican Well Service
Innovative technologies and enhanced applications of existing techniques are making it possible for the oil and gas industry to extract ‘unconventional’ gas resources safely, responsibly, and economically. The combination of horizontal wells and hydraulic fracturing has been key to unlocking unconventional gas reserves, mainly in the USA. Many countries are now exploring what it will take to exploit their unconventional resources. On the surface, this sounds like a simple proposition - export technology and techniques from the USA and implement them elsewhere - what could be easier! However, public opinion is influencing the debate and while hydraulic fracturing is perceived as a safe and effective technique within the industry, outside the industry concerns are being expressed on a variety of issues from greenhouse gas emissions to water management and increased seismic activity. This is limiting the ability to export technology and techniques globally. Understanding the present and future impact associated with these developments, not only in our environment but communities, is vital to unlocking these resources, as much as applying the science of hydraulic fracturing.
In this session, we will discuss how and why countries, operators, and service companies can manage the environmental challenges while maintaining the momentum on continuous improvement under a common shared umbrella of environmental responsibility.
Time | Paper # | Presentation |
---|---|---|
1300-1320 |
191432
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Successful Application of TSE-based Fracturing Fluids in Proppant Fracturing for Unconventional Carbonate Source Rock |
1320-1340 |
191388
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Hydraulic Fracturing Design to Unlock Light Tight Oil Resources in South Oman |
1340-1400 |
191457
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Coupling Geomechanical Effects and Reservoir Dynamics for Modelling Rejuvenation in Unconventional Plays |
1400-1420 |
191454
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Investigation of Multiple Hydraulic Fracture Propagation for Low-Pressure Tight Sandstone Reservoirs in Northern Ordos Basin of Changqing Oilfield, China |
Alternate |
191425
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Collapse Failure Analysis of Production String in Hydraulically Fractured Wells |
Time | Paper # | Presentation |
---|---|---|
1300-1320 | 191444 | Unconventional Reservoirs Next Frontier: Efficient Production Modelling |
1320-1340 |
191419
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Optimising Drawdown Strategies in Wells Producing from Complex Fracture Networks |
1340-1400 |
191452
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Development Strategy Optimisation of Ning201 Block Longmaxi Shale Gas |
1400-1420 |
191441
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Conceptual Design and Production Enhancement for Ball-Activated Multi-Stage Fracturing Systems in Deepwater Formations |
Alternate |
191427
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Use of Rate Transient Analysis to Evaluate Hydraulically Fractured Well Performance in A Mature Gas Field |
Time | Paper # | Presentation |
---|---|---|
1430-1445 |
191459
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An Integrated Analytics Platform for Completion Optimisation and Reservoir Characterisation |
Time | Paper # | Presentation |
---|---|---|
1430-1445 |
191427
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Use of Rate Transient Analysis to Evaluate Hydraulically Fractured Well Performance in A Mature Gas Field |
The Middle East region is a significant place for BP – it’s where BP started out. Previously known as the Anglo-Iranian oil company, BP made its first discovery in 1908, unlocking vast oil resources from beneath the desert. Now a century later BP is helping to unlock vast new resources of gas from some of the hardest and oldest rocks in the world – and some of the most technically challenging to extract energy from.
What makes BP’s Khazzan Project unique is the gas itself which lies at depths of up to five kilometres, in narrow layers of extremely hard, hot and dense rocks. These complex conditions mean that specialised equipment is needed to drill both vertical and horizontal wells very precisely, and hydraulically fracture the rocks to unlock the hydrocarbon potential.
As a global organisation, BP was able to call upon world-class expertise, technologies and know-how for the development of Khazzan. Techniques and technology that was perfected in the United States were brought to Oman, as well as an element of transferring good practices and capability from around the globe. Pioneering new technologies and systems such as the super-efficient central processing facility, the Khazzan operation is very much at the leading edge of what is happening, not only in BP, but across the oil and gas industry.
Speakers:
Yousuf Al Ojaili
President Oman
BP
Paul Forman
Vice President, Technical Functions & Performance
BP
David Wall
Vice President Operations
BP