RE: Question for OilEng (or equivalent well cultur Hi Geodude:
They will leave the rig on the hole while fracking because of all the work that needs to be done after each frac. Here is the basic operation:
- Once they have cored they will drill out the hole and set casing.
- Perforate Bluefish first because it is the deepest. Fracture it and start flowing it. They have energized the frac fluid with N2 because they want fresh oil from the Bluefish. They plan to flow test for 5 days. The objective is to get oil from the formation as they can then get an SDL.
- Once the Bluefish is tested, they will put a plug in the casing between the Bluefish and Canol. Perforate the Canol and fracture. Test for 5 days again with the objective of getting an SDL.
As noted earliler, they are going to put two fracs into the Canol, but I won't go into the details of how they do that unless you want more info.
Note the first objective is to get an SDL. The second objective is to get a type curve. This is what Husky is doing with the all weather road and that is getting a flow test that extends over many months. That flow test should be from a horizontal well, but second best is an extended test from the vertical. Extended testing give you a type curve (see Husky presentation Dec 4th) which allows you to calculate recovery factors and hence reserves.
With regard to an SDL. The magic of an SDLin the North is that you get to lock up large blocks of land - forever. This is different that the south where land is held section by section and you are faced with land expires on each section and have to drill up each section. (there are exceptions)
In conventional reservoirs you need a number of delination wells and seismic to outline the reservoir. Conventional reservoirs are notoriously spotty and small. However, the NEB and the Canol Explorer group have been working out to define a SDL for shale. Because shale is so wide-spread one well and seismic might be able to lock up very large areas. Unlike with conventional reservoirs, the issue with shale is not whether it is there, but will it flow oil.
SDL's are the reason that Husky put one well down in each block. They may be able to lock up both blocks with the ongoing well tests and their seismic - forever. No expires. The same for MGM. The existing well may be able to lock up the portion of EL 466B which has the Canol: the SW portion of the block.
The next step for MGM would be to drill a well in EL 475 as this has the largest potential reserves. They need to lock that one up.