John E. Smith, Consultant
Marked advancements have been made during the past four decades since the first commercial hydraulic fracturing treatment was performed in 1948. The high sand concentration fracturing process is one of the most dramatic of the advancements that have been realized. The central thesis of this paper is the evolution of the high sand concentration fracturing process, and the paper is composed of the following three categories. 1. Development. The high sand concentration fracturing process is presented from its conception in 1960, thru the first experimental treatment in 1972 and the first complete successful treatment in 1976, to the present status of the process. 2. Design. An overview of the procedures and mechanics required to design and perform a successful high sand concentration fracturing treatment is presented. 3. Results. Initial and long-term production increases are presented for high sand concentration fracturing treatments, and where possible, they are compared to conventional sand concentration treatments.