Refracturing likely to be next big trend for Bakken

Refracturing old wells with new technology is likely to become the next hot trend in the Bakken, with one analysis of a field test showing as much as 370,000 barrels of recoverable oil to be had on average from these older wells.

The figure is based on an analysis of 100 or so wells in the Killdeer area by Joel Brown, a principal with Mineral Tracker. Brown has a degree in petroleum engineering from the University of North Dakota, and well performance is one of his specialties.

“That really is a significant amount,” Brown told the Williston Herald. “In most cases it doubled the production those wells were ever going to realize.”

The economics of refracturing such wells are also good, Brown added.

“We don’t have to drill the well again,” he said. “It’s already drilled. It’s showing a great return on investment.”

Read more: https://www.willistonherald.com/news/oil_and_energy/refracturing-likely-to-be-next-big-trend-for-bakken/article_f2c69c1c-e9f9-11e9-bf6d-cf64da4fb92d.html