Fishbones' technology significantly reduces carbon emissions compared to conventional practices
22 September 2021
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Fishbones Drilling Technology found to reduce emissions by 95%
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Fishbones Jetting Technology resulted in an 88% reduction
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Study was carried out by independent consultancy, THREE60 Energy
Fishbones, an alternative well stimulation technology leader in the oil and gas industry, has published findings evaluating the relative carbon emissions footprint between its stimulation options and conventional stimulation techniques.
The independent study, undertaken by THREE60 Energy, found that CO2 emissions for Fishbones’ activity was a fraction of alternative practices. The results showed an 88% fall in emissions in its jetting solution and a 95% reduction in drilling, when compared to alternative solutions being offered on the market.
The report calculated that CO2 emissions generated by Fishbones Jetting stood at 6.7 tonnes per completion compared to 53.3 tonnes generated by acid-fracturing (1). Similarly, the calculated Fishbones Drilling CO2 emissions stood at 35.4 tonnes per completion, with propped-fracturing techniques generating 651 tonnes of emissions by comparison (2).
The report noted that Fishbones’ systems offer an alternative solution for well enhancement, that was safer, greener and for certain wells and applications, more cost-effective.
The findings also suggested that through its unique, expertly controlled pumping operation, Fishbones’ stimulation techniques were able to connect wells with faults and fractures, bypass any damaged formations and target so-called reservoir ‘sweet spots’ (3).
Eirik Renli, CEO Fishbones, said:
“The energy transition is top of everyone’s agendas and all those operating in the sector have a responsibility to review their operations in terms of not only what can be done, but how it can be done.
“Not only are our solutions helping to redefine accuracy and control in stimulation, lowering associated risks, costs and guaranteeing deep connectivity with reservoirs, but they are doing so in a greener, more environmentally friendly way. We readily welcome the results of this study.”
With Fishbones Jetting operations the reservoir liner string can be run as normal before small diameter needles ‘jet out’ simultaneously to penetrate the reservoir. The high-pressure fluid generates a combination of erosion and acid chemical dissolution.
Its Drilling operations, which can be completed in just a few hours, sees the use of small diameter laterals equipped with turbines powered by fluid circulation, which drill simultaneously to penetrate the reservoir.
The findings concluded that Fishbones’ stimulation techniques can provide several measurable benefits to operators including accelerated production and increased flow, paired with lower energy and resource consumption, which can help operators reduce their environmental impact.
THREE60 Energy carried out the research and report. THREE60 Energy is an energy services group whose aim is to deliver a more complete solution for owners, developers and operators of energy assets. Its strategy is to build a portfolio of oilfield services operating across the entire asset life cycle within the oil and gas industry, both onshore and offshore.
Notes to editors
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Fishbones-Jetting in carbonates was directly compared with Acid-Fracturing Operations. In both cases up to and including the production-liner running operations there are no marked differences between the approaches. Once the production-liner has been set, the Fishbones-Jetting operation consists of an activation sequence and subsequent execution. In the comparison well, the Acid-Fracturing Stages consist of an activation sequence, followed by a suite of repeating multi-cycle execution stages. In both cases the Drilling Rig has drilled the well and the Rig has been released and skidded off the well or may continue to be the means by which access to the well is provided (e.g., in a subsea environment). The operations are then subsequently performed by a boat deployment which is assumed required for both techniques.
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Fishbones-Drilling was directly compared with multi-stage Propped-Hydraulic Fracturing Operations. In both cases up to and including the production-liner running operations there are no marked differences between the approaches. The variation in both the baseline and comparison cases is due to the suitability of Fishbones Drilling to sandstone formations and therefore an appropriate sandstone enhancement approach. Once the liner has been set the Fishbones-Drilling operation consists of an activation sequence and subsequent execution. In the comparison well, Propped-Hydraulic Fracturing Stages consist of an activation sequence, followed by a suite of repeating multi-cycle execution stages.
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It should be noted that no reservoir engineering or production simulation comparison has been performed and that the cases should not be considered as equivalent from a production perspective. Such a comparison would require significant assumptions regarding the reservoir characteristics and production operations themselves, which are beyond the scope of this assessment. This assessment was performed specifically to compare the carbon footprint of the Fishbones completion options against reasonable variants.