Texas Tech Develops Improved Fracking Techniques

Texas Tech has developed improved fracturing techniques.

A team of Texas Tech researchers has developed new techniques to enhance the hydraulic fracturing process, also known as fracking.

“Same cost, more output – the return is going to be a lot higher,” said Mohamed Soliman, department chairman of Petroleum Engineering.

One of the new designs is a modified zipper frac, where fractures are initiated in a staggered pattern to induce stress not only at the tips, but also between fractures.

The other is an optimization technique that maximizes production through variable spacing between hydraulic fractures.

Patent applications are pending for each of the new designs.

More on the new fracking techniques is available here.