1. Upstream Innovations in Shale Production
Energy Technologies and Innovations: A Disturbance in the [Market] Force
George Washington University / April 12, 2018
Panel 2: Hydrocarbons Strike Back: Innovations to Maintain the Status Quo
Upstream Innovations in Shale Production
Sidney Green
Enhanced Production, Inc. / Univ. of Utah

2. Crude Oil Price Natural Gas Price
$/BBL
2013 to Today
Natural Gas Price
$/1000 BTU
2013 to Today

3. Changes from 2013 to 2018
Drilling Efficiency (BBL/Day per Drill Rig)…..…..…..…. up %
Hydraulic Fracturing Efficiency ……………………………….….……… up 30 %
Pad Drilling Efficiency ………………….……………… cost down 30 % to 50%
(Walking Rigs & 30+ Wells / Pad)
Well-to-Well Production Variation……… from 4-6 fold down to 2 fold
(Measurement While Drilling Guidance)
Production from Drilling Better Properties ………….…..….…… up 30 %
(Focus on Specific Properties)
Completion Cost Reduction ……………………………….……… down %
Breakeven Cost / BBL …………………...………from $70 down to $30--$40
Estimates by Sidney Green

4. Changes in Past Five Years
Lateral Well Length (feet) …….… 6,000….…..…… 10,000 (up to 15,000)
Pounds Sand / Foot ………………… ………..…………. 1,
Cluster Spacing (feet) ………………… …………..………………… 20
Fracture Stages Per Well …………… ……………………… … >100
Well Spacing (feet) …………….……… 5, …….. 1,000 down to 200
Well Production BBL/Day …… …. 3,000-5,000 (up to 8,000)
(early production but not IP)
US Oil Production BBL / Day ……8.5 million ………… over 10 million .
Estimates by Sidney Green

5. Potential Large-Impact Innovations
Longer Laterals and Injection of More Sand
Leading to Increased Recovery Factor
Big Data Analysis
Enhanced Recovery Techniques
Reduction of Wasted Injected Water & Sand
Reconsidering “Rocks Matter” for New Plays
New Data Becoming Available