AADE-25-NTCE-033
Tim Marvel and Jose Padilla, SEF Energy/Downing
Abstract
Since the introduction of the continuous pumping (CP) concept in 2020, automation and operational capabilities have significantly advanced, driven by refined algorithmic control cycles and minimized inefficiencies. These developments have enabled uninterrupted 24/7 hydraulic fracturing operations, establishing a new benchmark in completions efficiency. However, the term “continuous pumping” has deviated from its original intent, leading to a semantic shift that obscures the critical distinction between actual fracturing time and non-productive pumping time (NPP). This misalignment has perpetuated the use of metrics, specifically pump efficiency, that hinder operational optimization and resource utilization. This paper seeks to redefine continuous pumping by introducing and expanding on the concept of continuous fracturing (CF), which prioritizes maximizing productive fracturing time and reducing operational inefficiencies. Key concepts such as non-productive pumping (NPP), effective fracturing percentage (EF%), and invisible lost time (ILT) are examined to provide a clearer framework for measuring operational success. ILT, encapsulating hidden or unmeasured inefficiencies during pumping operations, highlights critical opportunities for improvement often overlooked in traditional metrics. Furthermore, this paper introduces the concept of “perfect days,” in which Operators achieve 24 hours of uninterrupted fracturing within a day, as a new benchmark for efficiency. Through detailed case studies and analytics, the transformative potential of continuous fracturing is demonstrated, showcasing significant performance gains achieved by focusing on fracturing-based efficiency metrics. By shifting industry standards toward CF, this paper argues for a paradigm change in completions operations, optimizing resource utilization, enhanced production outcomes, and a more transparent comparative metric of operational effectiveness.