Hugh J. Ayres & Calvin D. Saunders, Halliburton Oil Well Cementing Company
In the early stages of development of any process which fills a long felt need, there may be a number of improvements or refinements of a major nature if an aggressive research program is maintained. With usage and the adaptation to more applications, the actual magnitude of possible improvements in materials becomes less and less. Stated otherwise, when a process is deemed adequate, successive increments of improvement becomes less important. Such is the case with well stimulation. It should not be implied that further research or investigation is unjustified. On the contrary, much remains to be done. As long as there are areas that do not respond properly to existing materials and techniques, there is room for improvement. The possibility of a major improvement in present processes is limited. However, there are excellent possibilities for the development of an entirely different approach to the field of well stimulation.