## US SHALE PLAYS PRODUCED WATER MANAGEMENT CONGRESS
OCTOBER 2015

JJ TINTERA

JOHNJAMESTINTERA@GMAIL.COM 

# Refracturing
The Next Generation

### “ Refracturing Remains a Boutique Technique”

... EMILY MOSER, HART ENERGY - MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015

! Recompletions of horizontal wells.

! “The technique—commonly referred to as refracturing —has a long way to go before it can become the next chapter in the shale revolution” ... Christopher Robart , IHS Energy.

! So far, limited refracturing results offer solid but somewhat skewed initial production (IP) rates, gentler declines in production and variable costs.

### Boutique?

### Refracturing

! Halliburton Co. ( HAL ), which owns a recompletion line, estimates 50,000 wells in the U.S. are refracturing candidates, according to a Bloomberg report.

! Only a small share, about 1-2%, of shale wells today have been refractured , however. IHS predicts that by 2020 refractured wells will account for as much as 11% of horizontal wells fractured in the U.S.

### A 1⁄2 Billion Dollar Bet on the Future

! Halliburton Co ( HAL.N ) said it had tapped BlackRock Inc ( BLK.N ) for $500 million to help fund drilling in existing shale wells, the first such move by a major oilfield services provider

! “Though a relatively small market today, we see significant runway for refrac in the future," Halliburton President Jeffrey Miller

! The funding will accelerate Halliburton’s refracturing operations.

### Quote of the Day!

“ Touted as shale’s version of enhanced oil recovery, refracturing involves re-entering and restimulating existing shale wells to boost production .......”

http://www.theoilandgasyear.com/ July 21, 2015

### The Water Wars with Hydrofracturing are not over!

Are we , as an Industry, ready?

### How do we get ready?

"An analysis of Texas regulations, statutes, and industry practices that create the framework for the safe and economic production of unconventional reservoirs through re-fracturing, and identify opportunities to nurture and extend the Texas shale revolution “ ... JJ TinteraTexas White Paper: Re -Fracturing and the Texas Shale Revolution

! The foundation of the Texas "shale revolution" is technology.

! While refracturing is not yet widespread, these technological advances threaten to outpace the existing economic, regulatory and statutory framework in Texas.

! The good news is that, unlike commodity prices, it is possible to directly address and improve pre-existing rules, statutes and frameworks on unconventional reservoirs.

### Re -Fracturing and the Texas Shale Revolution

Principles underlying the approach to the intended analysis are two fold.

1. First, is the belief that sustainable and unconventional oil and gas development in Texas is not just possible but is good for all Texas residents.

2. Second, is the assumption that economic incentives, not mandates , will provide the best opportunities.

### White Paper Topics

! Define "re- fracturing“

! Document existing statutory framework

! Evaluate impacts on communities

! Evaluate water use, reuse and recycling

! Evaluate impacts on emissions

! Identify economic impacts

### White Paper Topics

! Identify opportunities to improve or adapt the existing production practices, regulatory framework, and statutory foundation

! Identify potential tax incentives for re-fracturing both oil and gas reserves

! Provide a roadmap for addressing the current rules, statutes and frameworks

### Let’s Drill Down a little Deeper!

### Definition of Refracs ? There are none in statute or regs

### As Close as We Get...

Existing SWR 13 definition :

Hydraulic fracturing treatment -- A completion process involving treatment of a well by the application of hydraulic fracturing fluid under pressure for the express purpose of initiating or propagating fractures in a target geologic formation to enhance production of oil and/or natural gas. The term does not include acid treatment, perforation, or other non-fracture treatment completion activities.

## Definition of Refracturing is Important

Why? It’s different from the original hydrofracture treatment

1. 

### Permitting: none needed

2. 

### Economics:

! Well already drilled. Save 2/3 of cost.

! Lease already acquired,

! Infrastructure in place
3. 

### Footprint: smaller, for less time, because no rig running

### But they both have similarities also

...

1. Water Use and Access

2. Footprint: extends life of facility

3. Social Contract required for community relations

4. Regulatory Oversight and inspections or investigations in place

### Incentives, Not Mandates – Examples 0n the Books

1. 

### The Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Incentive

. 2. 

### The High-Cost Gas Incentive

3. 

### Severance Tax Relief for Marginal Wells

4. 

### Incentive to Market Previously Flared or Vented Casinghead Gas

5. 

### Enhanced Efficiency Equipment Severance Tax Credit (HB2161)

6. 

### Incentive for Reuse/Recycling of Hydraulic Fracturing Water (HB 4)

7. 

### Advanced Clean Energy - EOR Tax

### Refracturing and EOR – “to be or not to be”

" The Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Incentive . (1989) , oil produced from an approved new enhanced oil recovery project or expansion of an existing project is eligible for a special EOR tax rate of 2.3 percent of the production’s market value (one-half of the standard rate) for 10 years after Commission certification of production response. For the expansion of an existing project the reduced rate is applied to the incremental increase in production after response certification.

" The High-Cost Gas Incentive (1989) Under the current incentive, gas from wells defined as high-cost gas wells under Section 107 of the old Federal Natural Gas Policy Act (NGPA) is eligible for a severance tax reduction. The level of reduction is based upon drilling and completion costs. To qualify for the reduction the well must be spudded or completed after September 1, 1996.

# Where can you Refrac ?

! 

### Existing geologic “sweet spot”

! 

### Initial frac successful

! 

### Casing and Well Integrity uncompromised

! 

### Water available

! 

### Strong social contract maintenance

! 

### Service company costs low

! 

### Infrastructure in place

! 

### Technology proven succesful

# What Lies Ahead?