At OAO TATNEFT one of the most effective ways to significantly increase oil recovery rate and cost-effectively operate wells at the late stage of development is the technology of formation hydraulic fracturing (HF). The Company’s specialists have planned to perform 364 HF operations in 2012 (320 in 2011 and 239 in 2010). The Company used to perform up to 60 HF jobs per year earlier.

 

The application of HF has resulted in the average increase of the wells’ flow rate in the amount of 4.5 tons per day. The cumulative incremental production amounts to more than 5.5 million tons.

 

Also TATNEFT is working on expanding the area of hydraulic fracturing application. In particular, the application of technology immediately after drilling and performance of re-fracturing jobs.

 

The process of hydraulic fracturing is designed to create and fix fractures in the reservoir through the injection of fracturing fluid into the well. Due to formation overbalance fractures are created; the fixing agent (proppant) is injected into these fractures, fill them up and maintain their high conductivity after the rock closure.

 

Modeling of hydraulic fracturing process is performed using the "Meyer" software system. A high-tech approach involves preliminary geological and geophysical studies information collection and analysis and then refinement of the data through execution of a mini-hydraulic fracturing prior to the major HF job.

 

Currently, TATNEFT applies different types of HF operations, such as classical, local, large-volume and acid fracturing.

 

The plans envisage acquisition of another HF fleet, which will greatly increase the amount of fracturing jobs to be performed.