Jon Clark, Clark Energy Consulting shares insight from his latest OG Brief. This episode’s OG BRIEF is titled “Fracking Faster and Safer than Ever”.
Clark says there’s an old adage that in industrial processes operations can be done safe, cheap, or quick but not all three. Well that’s changing in today’s oilfield and Clark talks a bit about how fracking technologies are redefining this.
Clark mentioned in the last OG Brief how, compared to last year, US rig count is down roughly 25% from 1,050 to 808, while frac crews are down nearly 33% from Clark Energy Consulting’s estimate of roughly 465 to 315 crews. Years ago, one frac crew could service roughly 2 drilling rigs. Due to advancements in rig abilities to drill longer wells and fracking faster than ever, one frac crew now services about 2.5-3 rigs.
Clark also comments on some new technologies like remote hydraulic valve actuation, remote greasing and zipper manifolds.
Zipper manifolds allows pumps to divert flow to different wells and eliminates hammering of unions which reduces potential injuries
Clark also discusses RigLock hydraulic lubricators which removes a man from the redzone, allowing the new WL to come on/off next well while frac is still pumping. The WL “winch” system is currently being trialed and controlled from a remote operating center and eventually remote frac control.
The Crude Life Podcast can be heard Monday through Thursday with a Week in Review every Friday.
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