Research in fracturing technology for the ERDA organization is structured on (1) the development of new concepts for increasing the deliverability of natural gas from resources that are classified as marginal by present day practices and (2) the testing and transfer of practices and (2) the testing and transfer of new technology to the private sector. The program at the Morgantown Energy Research Center program at the Morgantown Energy Research Center is centered about their foremost expertise in delineating and utilizing natural and induced fracture systems for enhancement of resource recovery. More recently, the research program has been expanded to include studies of foam fracturing, production history from fractured wells, cost/effectiveness of stimulation treatments and fracture mechanics as support activities for field demonstration projects. The program at the Bartlesville Energy Research Center evolves about their broad experience in stimulation technology in the marginal gas resources of the western U.S. This experience includes nuclear, explosive and more recently, massive hydraulic fracturing stimulation technology.
The ERDA organization interfaces with industry in field demonstration projects of new stimulation concepts that are potentially attractive as techniques for improving the deliverability of gas from known marginal resources. The most widely tested concept to date is the development of massive hydraulic fracturing technology utilizing new fracturing fluids and large volumes of fluid and sand to create long propped fractures. A second noteworthy concept that merits consideration as a future demonstration project includes the utilization of natural and induced fracture systems in conjunction with slant hole drilling and multiple hydraulic fracturing. Together with explosive fracturing and recompletion technology, these concepts offer the best potential for increasing the natural gas supply.
Demonstrations of field worthy technology are conducted with direct service contracts or with cost sharing government-industry contracts both of which are approaches now being pursued. ERDA participation is to provide an interface for technical contributions to the efforts and for the transfer of new technology to be accomplished. Upon successful demonstration of new stimulation techniques, it is anticipated that rapid commercialization will follow.
