R.E. Hurst, Dowell Division of the Dow Chemical Company
Fracturing has always been regarded as a highly technical type of stimulation treatment, and even the earliest fracture jobs were performed under carefully controlled conditions. A large number of variable factors controlled the efficiency and ultimate success of any treatments. During the past ten years of field application, the greatest emphasis has been placed upon only two or three of these variables. Failure to observe all pertinent factors has, in some cases, caused considerable disappointment and economic waste. An engineered "Frac-Guide" has now been assembled which allows preplanning treatments for improved results. This is accomplished by proper evaluation of the many variables present on every job.