Keynote Speaker: Carl T. Montgomery, Senior Engineer - NSI Technologies

This lecture was the keynote address for session seven at the 2024 SPE HFTC.  The lecture is centered around the basic principles and physics used to properly design and execute a hydraulic fracture design so that it delivers the optimum deliverability and maximizes the NPV of the treatment.  The lecture begins with some history followed by a discussion of the basic physics used to design a frac treatment.  This is followed by a section in which the current “Frac Baby Frac” syndrome currently in use by the unconventional shale operators has led to a misunderstanding and misuse of these basic fundamentals.  The next three sections of the lecture describe technologies and execution techniques that can be used to improve the effectiveness of the hydraulic fracturing treatment.  The final section provides some production data that supports the value of a properly engineered fracturing treatment.  The one idea or conclusion that needs to be left with the audience is that Newtonian physics does apply to all stimulation treatments and if proper engineering and execution techniques are followed a dramatic improvement in well economics and productivity can be achieved.