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Hydraulic Fracturing

Hydraulic Fracturing, or Fracking, is the process of creating a conducive path for hydrocarbons to flow from the reservoir to the wellbore in low-permeability reservoirs through the high-pressure injection of fracking fluid, primarily water containing sand or other proppants.

Over the past decade, we have extensively deployed hydraulic fracturing to appraise and develop tight oil and gas fields, pushing the boundaries of efficiency and innovation. We have also been at the forefront of successfully applying fracking in volcanic gas reservoir systems, executing one of the largest commercial developments of tight volcanic reservoirs globally. This included advanced fracture diagnostics and the implementation of limited entry fracturing, increasing reservoir pay coverage from 60% to 85%

Cairn has also been at the forefront of successfully applying fracking in volcanic gas reservoir systems, executing one of the largest commercial developments of tight volcanic reservoirs globally. This included advanced fracture diagnostics and the application of limited entry fracturing, increasing reservoir pay coverage from 60% to 85%.

  1. We successfully executed India’s largest frac job (4,30,000 lbs per stage of proppants) in a well within the Raageshwari Deep Gas (RDG) field, significantly improving operational efficiency by reducing frac time from 4.5 days to 2.2 days per stage.
  2. The use of limited entry techniques in the RDG field has increased reservoir coverage from 60% to 85%. Additionally, addressable switch technology was implemented to perforate multiple zones in a single E-line run. Cairn also evaluated and implemented fibre-assisted frac technology, which enhanced fracture conductivity and reduced frac costs by approximately 50%.
  3. We employed cutting-edge diagnostics such as downhole camera technology, non-radioactive tracer proppants, fluid tracers, and downhole temperature surveys to refine fracturing design and improve well performance.
  4. By leveraging particulate diversion and channel fracturing, we have improved fracture coverage and overall productivity. In the Barmer Hill formations, multiple wells are being accessed simultaneously, driving operational excellence.
  5. In the Aishwariya Barmer Hill, Cairn successfully drilled the longest onshore 6″ lateral section (1380m) in India using the Periscope HD tool. Additionally, more than 150 stages were successfully fractured using the Broadband Precision Integrated Completion Service method.