Dynamic Gas Pulse Loading - A Better Solution

Setting up a drilling platform is a costly endeavour. It is important that the maximum amount of oil or gas be extracted from the reservoir and the fastest rate possible. Running the crews around the clock isn’t enough to accomplish this task. Once the initial oil or gas is released from a reservoir the hydrostatic pressure will drop and the flow rate will be reduced or stop completely. Oil and gas further away from the drill site may not have a clear path to the borehole. Well drillers have come up with a number of techniques to solve this problem.

Hydraulic fracturing, and acidizing are the most commonly used methods, however, The idea behind these two techniques is to create fractures in the rock thereby increasing the radius the well is able to draw oil or gas from. However, certain circumstances may dictate these methods unsuitable. One problem is that they involve using large quantities of fluids, which certain formations may be sensitive to. They may not actually create fractures on an outward horizontal plane.

The Dynamic Gas Pulse Loading (DGPL) system generates high-pressure gasses, which induce and propagate multiple fractures in the targeted zones in very short time frames. The resulting hot gas, contained by a liquid column in the wellbore, expands to generate a fracture network extending from each perforation tunnel in the treatment zone. The DGPL system uses mechanical pressure gauges to monitor the fracture response of the formation. Time-dependent pressure recording provides a more detailed picture of the fracture process. The system is lowered into a well on an electric wire line or by a modified tubing conveyance. A down hole pressure sensor connected by wire to the digital recorder system at the surface provides instant access to the data and does not risk damage to the digital recorder.

Some would argue that dynamic gas pulse loading is a better method to increase the flow rate of gas and oil wells. Certain benefits are obvious. A DGPL system eliminates the need for large storage tanks at the surface and pump trucks. Most importantly, drillers are able to control the direction of the fractures. This eliminates the possibility of damaging the reservoir with hydraulic methods that may only create fractures in a vertical direction, and possibly rendering the well unusable.

Triple Diamond Energy Corporation and others will most surely benefit from continued scientific research in the field of well stimulation.

Chris Jent is the chief marketing officer of Triple Diamond Energy Corp. Triple Diamond Energy specializes in acquiring the highest quality prime oil and gas properties. For more information, visit http://www.triplediamondenergycorp.blogspot.com.