Gazprom Neft has conducted five multistage fracking operations to improve recovery rate in the eastern part of Orenburg oil and gas-condensate field in southwestern Russia.

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The company said that the fracking operations, combined with new technologies, led to a 50% increase in flow rates.

The technologies include viscoelastic diverting acid (VDA), which is designed to cause an extensive network of fissures to develop, while allowing additional inflow of oil into the well.

Gazprom said that the acid can form a gel, which could temporarily block potential cracks and directs the remaining acid to other parts of the strata while increasing the coverage area.

The viscosity of the gel, however, will be reduced after interacting with hydrocarbons and then be and washed away with the oil into the well.

In order to further optimize oil recovery, the VDA was used throughout the entire horizontal well shaft.

Gazprom Neft first deputy CEO Vadim Yakovlev said: "Combining multiple technologies significantly improves efficiency in field development.

"Continuing the implementation of our Technology Strategy, Gazprom Neft is successfully testing and improving the most up-to-date methodologies of enhanced oil recovery.

"Positive results from pilot projects mean the company has the opportunity to utilise experience gained at other assets."

Gazprom added that the impact of drilling operations has been significantly improved with the use of various technologies including the development and refinement of drilling mud for use throughout the entire length of the well bore.

The firm expects to increase oil production at assets throughout the region by up to 15% by further dissemination of these technologies.

Separately, Gazprom Neft said it has commissioned the first absorption well at the Prirazlomnoye oilfield located south of Novaya Zemla in northern Russia on the Pechora sea shelf.


Image: Illustration of multistage fracking. Photo: courtesy of Gazprom Neft.