Expected Consequences of Using of Open Hole Propane Fracs: Use of vertical and horizontal Multi-Stage Open Hole Propane/Butane/Sand Hydraulic Fracturing will change the conventional method completing of Eagle Ford formation wells and the production from Eagle Ford formation wells in the Maverick Basin part of the Rio Grande Embayment (Frio, Dimmitt, Zavala and Maverick Counties, Texas). The use of open hole propane/butane fracs will increase production and reduce the cost of completions compared to conventional “plug and perf” sand fracs. The application of the open hole propane/butane completion method will make existing lands (which are economic) more profitable. Use of Propane: Although the initial cost of propane is high, propane/butane is recyclable and environmentally friendly. Butane is produced by the Eagle Ford formation and production will provide the feedstock for future fracs. Propane/Butane fracs have not been tried in the Eagle Ford in Texas. Sophisticated propane recycling plants are not common in Texas. Services are available. Gas Frac Services Inc. (“Gas Frac”) (www.gasfrac.com) has recently dedicated two frac trains to Texas (30,000 hp). Propane/Butane fracs are not new technology. Gas Frac has over 800 field applications (including horizontals in the Marcellus and in Canada) and has been used in 10 vertical wells in Texas. Open Hole Cost Benefit: Plug and Perf completion costs are 3 times open hole completion costs. Reason: Mobilization and demobilization costs of the service companies. Plug and Perf equipment/manpower sit on site for at least 1 month. The operator takes 20 days to drill out plugs. Then operator prepares the well for water load recovery which might take 90 days to recover 60% of load fluids if reservoir pressure cannot overcome hydrostatic resistance. Compare: 16 stage propane fracs can be completed in 2 days. There is no drilling of plugs. Production should be immediate if propane frac is used. There should be no requirement to wait for load recovery. Refraccing wells. Eagle Ford lands have 40-60 MM barrels of OOIP per section. Present primarily recovery is less than 2% in most cases. If liner systems are full gauge and the integrity is maintained after fraccing (ie no milling or drilling after the fracture process), then these tools provide the ability to manipulate an interval for production testing, water shut off, cleanouts and re-stimulation. Upon the exhaustion of the first frac, propane fracs provide the ability to re-frac the well to access an additional 2% or greater recovery.
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