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Copyright © 1994 Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc. Journal paper SPE 24888 was first published in vol. 46 (01) of J Pet Technol, pgs. 281–296.

SPE 24888 presents a case history of economic assessments of the cost and benefit of applying three new technologies in six tight gas formations in U.S. Voneiff and Holditch first discuss the necessity of new fracture technologies through in-depth analyses of fracture fluid problems with no quality control, fracture height overestimate or underestimate without accurate in-situ stress information, and the inadequacy of 2D fracture design models when a formation has multiple pay zones or when stress contrast is not large enough (> 1,500 psi) to contain a fracture. The authors then estimate the costs of applying each technology at three different levels (i.e., none with zero added cost; standard; and intense, with the highest added cost). They compile an “average” well with representative reservoir and fluid properties for each of the six formations using the approach discussed in Case Histories Chapter 9 of this book and compute an optimal fracture length and treatment size. From there, Voneiff and Holditch determine the probability of errors that may be encountered in fracture design and implementation, with and without applying the new technologies. They first compute the gas production and revenue for each possible outcome by use of a 2D reservoir simulation model, and then compute the benefits of applying new technologies. From this research, Voneiff and Holditch conclude the following:

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