Improved Horizontal Well Stimulations in the Bakken Formation, Williston Basin, Montana

Abstract The Bakken formation in the Williston Basin of Montana has undergone rejuvenation thanks to the success of horizontal drilling and completions. Over the last several years there has been an evolution in the drilling and completion methodology, which has resulted in significant improvements in well productivity. Although the horizontal wells will produce at economic rates without stimulation, hydraulic fracturing increases well productivity significantly. For the program discussed in this paper, the wells are drilled for longitudinal fracture orientation. The original wellbores had cemented liners and employed the limited-entry technique to distribute the fracture treatment. This program now uses noncemented liners and a modified fracture treatment with diverter stages. This paper presents a review of the approach taken to evaluate the most effective way to complete and hydraulically fracture these laterals. It documents the evolution of the hydraulic fracture design and wellbore configurations. It also presents results showing the improvements in proppant distribution along the wellbore caused by changes in fracture treatment design and its impact on well productivity.