What are the Three Major Methods of Well Stimulation?
Well stimulation is one of the major parts of petroleum and natural gas extraction. It is a well intervention to improve and increase the production of oil or gas wells. When a well reduces its production, well stimulation is practiced by petroleum engineers. It is also considered suitable for new wells. Every petroleum industry is well aware of well stimulation methods. There are three major methods of well stimulation. Among them, the most famous and more efficient technique is hydraulic fracturing. It is safe than older methods. However, other methods are also used in distinct situations.
Dissolving through Acid Injection
Acid gas injection is all about pumping of acid gas such as CO2 and H2s into the well to dissolve composites and minerals. The well stimulation method is practiced in an extremely controlled environment to avoid leakage and other issues. The method is not as risky as stimulation through explosives. The acid injection major risk is that acid may infiltrate the surrounding area that can harm the environment, Hydraulic fracturing is safer than acid injection. Acidization is safe for dissolving limestone and mineral composites.
Explosives to Stimulate Wells
There is another popular way of well stimulation is through explosives. It is the least popular well stimulation method because it involves risks. The method is also popular as well shooting. In this method, petroleum engineers carefully use controlled chemical explosions, It is a more aggressive method of chemical injection and infiltration. Though explosive techniques are one of the oldest methods in well stimulation, it is not as useful as other well stimulation techniques. Chemical explosions are not so precise like hydraulic fracturing and acidizing. There are several other methods of explosives but are yet to practice.
Stimulation through Hydraulic Fracturing
It is the most successful and efficient well stimulation way that has been practicing since 1940. The method is also popular as fracking. In this method, 90% of water, 5% of chemicals and the rest percentage of sand are used to fracture or break rocks. Deeper in the earth crust, oil or gas can trap in rocks. When high pressure of the fluid is injected in the well, it breaks or fractures rocks to recede the flow. Sand traps on these cracks and helps to maintain the flow of oil or gas for a longer period. Fracks is not as risky as explosive and acidizing. Recently, fracking has been criticized regarding potential groundwater infiltration and tremors.
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