JSC TATNEFT has recently purchased a new hydraulic fracturing (HF) fleet. This will be the second HF fleet operated by the Company. The first one was purchased in 2009. The first fracking operation involving new HF fleet was performed in the mid-February. As compared to the first HF fleet, the second one features a number of serious improvements that has been introduced at the suggestion of TATNEFT’s specialists.

 

The manufacturer of the fleet is NOV Fidmash, a well-known company with headquarters situated in the USA and production facilities concentrated in the Republic of Belarus. According to the contract, commissioning and start-up procedures involve successful performing of 3 (three) fracturing operations. These operations were performed at the fields of NGDU Leninogorskneft and Almetjevneft with participation of NOV Fidmash’s experts.

 

According to corporate newsletter of JSC TATNEFT, key feature of the new fleet is hydration unit that was absent in the previous fleet. The unit allows onsite preparation of water-based gels, i.e. directly during the process of hydraulic fracturing.

 

Mixing unit is able to perform fracking operations in fully automatic mode. Data van now features new data acquisition system that allows online collection of information about HF process. New HF fleet includes well-equipped field laboratory, which offers the possibility of fracturing fluid quality monitoring and is fitted with wireless (Wi-Fi) circular scan video control system and new monitors that display all necessary job parameters. JSC TATNEFT plans to perform 579 HF operations in 2013. As a comparison, the number of such operations in 2012 amounted to 376.

 

Fidmash Closed Joint-Stock Company (NOV Fidmash) was founded in 2001 as a specialized design and manufacturing enterprise of FID Group. Primary activity of the company is development and production of innovative products – unique oil and gas equipment, including coiled tubing equipment (well workover units and coiled tubing sidetracking units), fleets and separate components for hydraulic fracturing, cementing equipment, as well as auxiliary equipment for well stimulation and directional drilling.