Hydraulic Fracturing Unlocks Oil Reserves

Unlocking Hidden Oil: How Hydraulic Fracturing Is Changing the Game

Lena Kashyap in Tech & Innovation August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how innovative hydraulic fracturing techniques are breathing new life into old oil fields, boosting reserves and challenging conventional wisdom."

In the world of oil and gas, low prices often mean budget cuts for exploration and development. This can lead to a decline in reserve balances, pushing companies to find creative ways to boost their resources. Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, has emerged as a powerful tool to unlock previously uneconomical reservoirs. It's a method that allows companies to revisit existing wells and tap into reserves that were once considered out of reach.

One such project is taking place in the Karim Small Fields (KSF) in Oman, where the Karim formation is being re-evaluated using advanced fracturing techniques. This formation, particularly the Lower Khaleel segment, was initially deemed too challenging to develop economically. However, innovative approaches are now turning this perception on its head.

The Khaleel formation, a sandstone layer about 2000 meters deep, has fair porosity and permeability but a low recovery factor of less than 5%. Traditional development plans have largely ignored it due to disappointing production results. But with the advent of modern hydraulic fracturing, this is changing.

Overcoming Challenges in the Karim Formation

Hydraulic Fracturing Unlocks Oil Reserves

Developing the Khaleel formation isn't without its hurdles. The wells weren't initially designed for fracturing operations, leading to challenges related to well trajectory, completion condition, and data availability. Understanding the formation's water source and its connection to the Khaleel adds another layer of complexity. To address these issues, the project was divided into three phases: feasibility and technical study, fracturing trials and evaluation, and fracturing understanding and optimization.

The initial feasibility and technical study focused on understanding the geology, geomechanics, and petrophysics of the wells. This involved analyzing data from wells where fracturing had been performed in other formations. A critical step was the candidate selection process, which involved evaluating more than 10 existing wells. This selection process used a novel workflow to incorporate all the known challenges into the selection criteria, ultimately leading to the selection of the top three wells for fracturing operations in the Khaleel formation.

To determine the feasibility, the team looked at:

Assessing fracturing feasibility and effectiveness at the targeted zones.
Understanding the correlation between fracturing and water production.
Exploring refracturing possibilities using conventional and new fracturing technologies.

Two of the three selected wells underwent hydraulic fracturing treatments in the initial trial phase. Observations and results from these trials have provided valuable insights into the behavior of the formation and the effectiveness of the fracturing techniques. These insights are now being used to refine the approach and optimize future fracturing operations.

The Future of Fracturing in the Karim Formation

The success of these initial hydraulic fracturing treatments has sparked a shift in perception, proving that even challenging formations like the Karim can be economically viable. The initial estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) for the Karim formation is now being revised upwards, reflecting the potential for significant reserve additions. Moving forward, the project will continue to use the same rigorous candidate selection workflow to minimize errors and maximize success. The focus will also expand to exploring hydraulic fracturing treatments in other fields within KSF, potentially unlocking even more of Oman's oil reserves.

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Everything You Need To Know

What is hydraulic fracturing, and how is it being used to increase oil reserves?

Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a technique used to extract oil and gas from reservoirs that are otherwise uneconomical to develop. It involves injecting high-pressure fluid into the formation to create fractures, increasing permeability and allowing hydrocarbons to flow more freely. The use of hydraulic fracturing allows companies to revisit existing wells and tap into reserves that were once considered out of reach.

What is the Karim Small Fields (KSF) project in Oman, and what formation is it focused on?

The Karim Small Fields (KSF) project in Oman focuses on re-evaluating the Karim formation, specifically the Lower Khaleel segment, using advanced hydraulic fracturing techniques. The Khaleel formation is a sandstone layer that was initially deemed too challenging to develop economically. The project aims to demonstrate that even formations once considered unviable can become economically productive through the application of modern hydraulic fracturing methods.

What specific technical challenges were encountered while developing the Khaleel formation for hydraulic fracturing?

Developing the Khaleel formation presents several challenges, including wells not initially designed for fracturing, well trajectory issues, completion condition problems, and limited data availability. Understanding the water source and its connection to the Khaleel adds complexity. These challenges were addressed by dividing the project into phases: feasibility and technical study, fracturing trials and evaluation, and fracturing understanding and optimization.

Can you elaborate on the initial steps of the feasibility study, especially the candidate well selection process for fracturing in the Karim formation?

The initial feasibility and technical study in the Karim formation involved a comprehensive analysis of the geology, geomechanics, and petrophysics of the wells. A critical step was the candidate selection process, which evaluated existing wells using a novel workflow that incorporated known challenges into the selection criteria. This process identified the top three wells for fracturing operations in the Khaleel formation, ensuring that the trials were conducted in the most promising locations.

How have the initial hydraulic fracturing treatments impacted the estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) in the Karim formation, and what are the broader implications for future oil production?

The hydraulic fracturing treatments in the Karim formation have increased the estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) and demonstrated the economic viability of previously challenging formations. This has spurred a shift in perception and is leading to the exploration of hydraulic fracturing treatments in other fields within the Karim Small Fields (KSF). This may lead to the unlocking of even more of Oman's oil reserves and could have significant implications for the future of oil production in the region.