Educate & Engage
The goal of these articles is to share the information I’ve gathered throughout my career regarding tools, product management, engineering, and work in general. I hope you will find value, please let me know either way!
Plug & Perf: Alternative Plug Designs
In the quest to build a better mousetrap, several companies have introduced new technology designed to reduce the cost, reduce the material, and increase the efficiency of the overall plug and perf operation. While these designs have provided some increase in performance, they’ve introduced issues not seen with a traditional design.
The Plug & Perf Challenge
Starting in 2008, the US daily oil production started to increase rapidly, averaging an increase of 657,000 bbls/day (almost 240 MMbbls per year) each year through 2019. This increase was done on the back of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracing.
Over the past 3 years I have published several articles about composite plugs and the plug & perf completion operation. I took the time to combine these posts, along with additional information, into an ebook that is available for download now.
Setting up for Success: Disposable Setting Tools
Disposable setting tools have become a major player in the setting tool market. This article completes my Setting Up for Success series explaining the setting tool technologies used in horizontal completions.
Plug & Perf: Drill-out Fluids
One of the biggest challenges during a plug & perf completion is successfully drilling out the lateral. Proper use of fluid systems to efficiently drill out and clean the wellbore greatly reduces the risk. Understanding the fluid additives and the role they play will help when discussing the proper procedures needed.
Plug & Perf Issues: Plug Slipping
Plug & Perf has become the most widely used completion used in North America. Understanding the technology and the issues that can arrive will help completion engineers choose the best product for their well.
Plug & Perf Issues: The Preset Event
Understanding the mechanics behind the issues that arise during a Plug & Perf operation can help when deciding which tool will reduce your risk.
Plug & Perf: How Traditional Frac Plugs Work
Without a clear understanding of how a traditional frac plug works, it can be difficult to appreciate the recommendations for operation or what is happening in the well throughout the Plug & Perf operation.
Composite Plugs: The Difference can be Material
Understanding the construction of the products available for your wellbore will help you to determine which product will outperform the others. The materials used to build a composite plug can have a major impact on the pump down, anchor & seal, and milling performance.
Composite Plug Innovation: Sealing Matters
In the race to provide the shortest, lightest, and quickest to mill composite frac plugs, providers seem to forget the most important part: The Seal!
Dissolve your worries: A new option for extended reach completion design
Many operators have chosen to run fully dissolvable plugs in the furthest reaches of their lateral because milling becomes in efficient. With the Rubicon RzrFRAC there is a new option for solving this problem.
Setting Up for Success: Owen Style Compact Setting Tool
The performance of your composite plug setting tools can have a huge impact on your completion operation. Understanding how the tools work helps to recognize the importance of proper redress and operational procedures.
Setting up for Success: Wireline Setting Tools have a major impact on Plug & Perf Operations
Understanding wireline setting tool operation, redress, and potential issues can have a big impact on the success of your operation.
Composite Plug Milling: 4.5” Casing
The bit choice for milling plugs in 4.5" casing isn't as clear as it is in the 5.5" Size. Understanding the pros and cons of each choice (Roller Cone, Carbide Mill, and PDC Bit) will help to optimize your completion operation.
Plug & Perf: Pump Down Operations
Some estimates have the number of frac stages pumped in North America in 2018 above one million. The pump down operation is a major part of a Plug & Perf Completion. Understanding the fluid dynamics and how it affects the plug assembly is a large part of selecting the right technology for your well.
Composite Plug Milling: Bit Selection for 5.5" Completions
The bit chosen to mill composite plugs can have a huge impact on the milling operation, speed, and efficiency. Understanding the different bit designs can help wiith your decision.
Real Success: RzrFRAC Composite Frac Plug
The benefits of the RzrFRAC Composite Frac Plug have proved themselves across all of our customers. This articles highlights a few of these real successes.
RzrFRAC: The Next Step in Composite Plug Technology
Rubicon Oilfield International introduces the RzrFRAC Composite Frac Plug. Learn how this new technology can change your plug & perf completion.
Until Now Innovation = Less of the Same
In 1947 R.C. Baker filed the patent for a hydraulically set packer. In the 70 years since, packers have maintained the same form even though the applications have changed dramatically. The industry needs a fit for purpose solution that is designed with the current application in mind.
Longer Laterals are Not a Fad
Operators are rushing to increase the length of the laterals in their horizontal wells. The result is more stages and associated completion hardware. The industry needs new technology that significantly reduces the amount of completion debris left after the frac. Rubicon has the answer.