88 Energy Limited (ASX:88E, LON:88E) is planning to shut-in the Icewine-2 well on Alaska’s North Slope to allow pressure to build up and soaking to occur.
The oil exploration firm is in the middle of flow-back operations after fracking two zones in the HRZ shale.
“After analysing the performance of the well to date, and comparing to results from other plays, a decision has been made to shut the well in for six weeks to allow for pressure build up and imbibition to occur,” the company told investors.
Effective method
“Imbibition (or soaking) has proven to be effective in other plays by allowing frack fluid to be absorbed, displacing in-situ water that may be blocking hydrocarbon molecules from being able to flow through the reservoir.”
To date around 16% of the stimulation fluid has been recovered. It continued to flow back naturally, 88 Energy pointed out.
Following the shut-in period, the well may then be swabbed (a process of mechanically lifting oil).
“Further analyses are required to determine the impact, if any, of the performance of the Icewine-2 well on the probability of success for the HRZ play at the Franklin Bluffs location and over the wider acreage position,” the company said.