Plug and Perforate Methodology for Multi-Stage Hydraulic Fracturing

This animation, provided by Baker Hughes International, shows a cross section view of a plug and perforate methodology applied to horizontal drilling and multi-stage hydraulic fracturing in a shale formation. Follow the descriptions below for information about the different stages of the animation. 1. A vertical hole is drilled and then deviated horizontally to follow the shale facies of interest. 2. The entire hole is cased in order to seal the formation against the wellbore. 3. A string of 3 perforation shots with an endplug is inserted to the toe of the well. 3 perforations are fired in this interval, rupturing the casing locally, allowing hydraulic access to the shale formation. 4. The entire well is pressurized with hydraulic fracturing fluid and proppant, such that hydraulic fractures begin to form and propagate at the wellbore perforations. The formation can now be produced from these hydraulic fractures. 5. An endplug is inserted on the next set of perforation shots, and is applied in the wellbore between the first and second set of perforations, thus isolating sections of the wellbore that have been hydraulically fractured independently. 6. This process (steps 3-5) is repeated at regular intervals until the heel of the well.