Reduces carbon emissions by up to 25%†
Reduces water requirements by up to 30%
The HiWAY flow-channel fracturing technique is a proven Schlumberger technology that fundamentally changes the way proppant fractures generate conductivity. The first of its kind, the HiWAY technique creates open pathways inside the fracture, enabling hydrocarbons to flow through the stable channels rather than the proppant. This optimizes connectivity between the reservoir and the wellbore—resulting in infinite fracture conductivity.
The HiWAY technique significantly increases fracture conductivity while reducing water and proppant consumption. This means higher production, simpler logistics, reduced operational time and footprint, and lower carbon emissions.
In fracturing operations, carbon emissions are mainly generated from
The HiWAY technique enables reduction of up to 40% proppant and 30% water requirements, resulting in a significant reduction in carbon emissions.
As deeper and longer laterals and more stages are completed to optimize hydrocarbon drainage, the HiWAY technique plays a crucial part in reducing water volume in hydraulic fracturing operations. Through engineered designs using less proppant, water consumption can be reduced by up to 30%. And the risk of screenout is significantly minimized. Currently, HiWAY technique has a placement success rate of more than 99%—eliminating contingency cleanouts and repeat fracturing jobs and their associated emissions and water consumption.
Considering only emissions from proppant and water transportation from the base to the location, equipment mobilization and demobilization, and the fracturing operation itself (activities outlined in green), the HiWAY technique reduces carbon emissions by up to 25% compared with the conventional fracturing technique†. The emissions reduction is even higher if proppant raw material sourcing, manufacturing, and transportation to the country are factored in the quantification calculation.
† Emissions from proppant and water transportation from the base to the location, equipment mobilization and demobilization, and the fracturing operation itself
‡ Max. based on analysis completed on various job completion strategies including
The HiWAY technique has improved time to sales, fluid recovery, initial production rate, and average-well estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) in more than 4,000 jobs worldwide—including the Rocky Mountain region of the US and the Sierras Blancas formation in Argentina.
Since 2010, the HiWAY flow-channel hydraulic fracturing technique has helped operators increase production while using less water and proppant. The first technique of its kind, the HiWAY technique creates stable channels within the fractures—decoupling fracture conductivity from the proppant pack. This results in infinite fracture conductivity.
