Case Study: Largest Fracturing Ball achieves leak-free fracturing with SLB’s Saltel expandable steel patch

Saltel Patch Repairs Fracture Port, Leaving Sufficient ID to Drop Largest Fracturing Ball

SLB helped the largest fracturing ball address a well-integrity problem in Cochrane, Alberta, where a prematurely open fracture port had to be repaired before fracturing could continue. The challenge was to seal the leaking port while still leaving enough internal diameter for the largest ball to pass through the patch.

SLB used a Saltel expandable steel patch to bridge the differing ID requirements of the fracture port and the nominal casing. The patch restored well integrity and allowed fracturing to resume; the operator completed 29 stages at 8,400 psi with no leaks, and the well became one of its highest-volume producers in the area.