Rosneft to boost productivity of Bazhenov wells 2-3 times with new hydraulic fracturing technologies

MOSCOW. Aug 28 (Interfax) - Specialists at Rosneft's research institute in Ufa have developed an innovative technology of multi-stage hydraulic fracturing for ultra-low-permeability rocks, which will increase well productivity 2-3 times at fields with complex geological structure, the company said in a statement.

The technology involves alternate injection of proppant with high and low viscosity gel into the fracture, which helps to increase its length.

Thanks to this technology, high flow rates of 80 and 200 tonnes of oil per day have already been recorded at two wells in the Bazhenov Formation. The indicators are twice as high as those obtained earlier at similar sites, Rosneft said.

"The development of the innovation will make it possible to increase the production of Bazhenov oil by tapping new sites throughout Western Siberia for development," the company said.

The oil company plans to continue pilot activities at 16 more horizontal wells, with the potential for applying the technology extending to more than a thousand wells.