How Vertechs’ Dissolvable Technology Supports Re-Fracturing in Mature Wells
In today’s energy landscape, operators face a dual challenge: maximizing production from existing reservoirs while maintaining operational efficiency and environmental responsibility. Mature wells, which have already undergone one or more stages of hydraulic fracturing, often show declining production rates. For operators, the question becomes: how can these wells be revitalized without incurring the massive costs of drilling new ones?
The answer increasingly lies in re-fracturing, a proven strategy to extend the productive life of mature wells. However, re-fracturing comes with its own set of challenges—complex wellbore conditions, costly interventions, frac plug and efficiency concerns. This is where Vertechs’ dissolvable technology plays a pivotal role, offering a smarter and more reliable path to re-fracturing success.
Understanding the Need for Re-Fracturing
Hydraulic fracturing has unlocked massive unconventional resources worldwide, from North America’s shale basins to international plays. However, as wells age, production naturally declines. Some wells show rapid depletion due to factors like fracture closure, uneven stimulation distribution, or reservoir heterogeneity.
Re-fracturing provides a way to:
Reopen closed fractures that may no longer contribute effectively.
Create new fracture networks to access untapped reservoir sections.
Reallocate stimulation to bypass damage zones.
Boost production and extend well life without drilling new wells.
The economics of re-fracturing are compelling: it’s often less expensive than new drilling, requires shorter timelines, and significantly improves recovery factors. But traditional re-fracturing techniques, such as using mechanical plugs or cement isolation, can be time-intensive, costly, and risky in mature well conditions.
The Limitations of Conventional Isolation
Before re-fracturing, operators must isolate specific zones for controlled stimulation. Historically, mechanical bridge plugs or cement squeezes have been the tools of choice. However, these methods present several drawbacks:
Time-Consuming: Milling out mechanical plugs adds extra rig time.
Operational Risks: Milling can cause debris, stuck tools, or wellbore damage.
High Costs: Each additional run downhole wellbore stability increases operational expenses.
Complex Logistics: Especially in horizontal wells with long laterals, isolation becomes difficult and less efficient.
These limitations prompted the search for smarter alternatives that could make re-fracturing faster, cleaner, and more economical.
Enter Vertechs’ Dissolvable Technology
Vertechs has pioneered dissolvable plug technology designed to simplify well interventions, including re-fracturing operations. Unlike traditional plugs, dissolvable plugs do not require milling. Instead, they are engineered with proprietary materials that degrade predictably when exposed to downhole conditions such as temperature, pressure, and wellbore fluids.
Key Features of Vertechs Dissolvable Plugs:
No Milling Required: The plugs naturally dissolve, saving significant time and eliminating the risks of mechanical removal.
Customized Dissolution Rates: Tailored to specific reservoir conditions, ensuring predictable and reliable performance.
High Pressure & Temperature Tolerance: Capable of withstanding harsh downhole environments.
Reduced Debris Risk: Complete dissolution minimizes leftover debris, reducing the chance of blockages.
Simplified Logistics: Operators avoid additional trips, heavy equipment, and milling assemblies.
For re-fracturing, these benefits are game-changing.
How Dissolvable Technology Supports Re-Fracturing
In mature wells, re-fracturing often requires a zonal isolation strategy that balances efficiency with minimal intervention. Vertechs’ dissolvable technology provides exactly that.
Efficient Zone Isolation
Dissolvable plugs enable operators to isolate zones quickly and with precision. Once placed, they provide reliable sealing during the re-fracturing stage. After the operation, they dissolve on their own, leaving the wellbore clear.Reduced Downtime
Traditional re-fracturing operations require significant downtime for milling out plugs. Dissolvable technology eliminates this step, significantly reducing the non-productive time (NPT) and accelerating the time to production.Cost Savings
By removing the need for milling, operators save both on direct operational costs and indirect costs like rig time and personnel hours.Lower Risk Operations
In older wells, intervention risks are higher due to fragile wellbore conditions. Dissolvable plugs reduce mechanical interaction with the well, mitigating risks of tool sticking, casing damage, or additional debris.Scalable for Long Laterals
As laterals in unconventional wells grow longer, the efficiency of dissolvable plugs becomes even more critical. Operators can set multiple plugs quickly without worrying about complex retrieval later.
A Practical Case for Dissolvable Technology
Consider a mature shale well in North America with declining production after five years of operation. The operator seeks to re-fracture selected zones across the lateral. Traditionally, this would involve setting mechanical plugs, stimulating each stage, and then milling out dozens of plugs—a process that could take several extra days and add significant costs.
With Vertechs’ dissolvable plugs, the workflow changes dramatically:
Plugs are set and stimulation performed just like with mechanical plugs.
No mill-out operation is required, as the plugs naturally dissolve within the designed timeframe.
Production resumes quickly, with minimal intervention and downtime.
The result: reduced costs, safer operations, and improved recovery from the mature well.
Environmental and ESG Advantages
Beyond economics and efficiency, dissolvable technology aligns with operators’ environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals:
Lower Emissions: Fewer rig days mean reduced fuel consumption and emissions.
Minimal Waste: Dissolvable plugs leave little to no solid debris, reducing waste handling.
Safer Worksites: Eliminating milling reduces heavy equipment use and lowers risks to personnel.
As ESG considerations continue to shape industry practices, dissolvable solutions offer a sustainable pathway forward.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Re-Fracturing
The oil and gas industry is in constant pursuit of technologies that make operations smarter, safer, and more cost-effective. As unconventional basins mature globally, re-fracturing will play a bigger role in optimizing recovery.
Vertechs’ dissolvable technology stands at the forefront of this evolution, helping operators:
Unlock new value from existing wells.
Extend the economic life of assets.
Reduce operational risks and costs.
Support sustainability objectives.
By combining materials science, engineering expertise, and field-proven performance, Vertechs is redefining how the industry approaches well interventions—particularly in mature assets where every decision counts.
Conclusion
Re-fracturing represents one of the most effective strategies for maximizing recovery from mature wells. Yet, its success depends on overcoming the limitations of traditional isolation methods. Vertechs’ dissolvable technology offers a proven solution—removing the need for milling, cutting costs, reducing risks, and accelerating time to production.
As operators face mounting pressure to optimize performance while meeting ESG standards, dissolvable plugs are not just a technological upgrade—they are a strategic enabler for the future of re-fracturing. With Vertechs leading the way, the industry is better equipped than ever to breathe new life into mature wells.
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