The Effect of Cluster Uniformity Index on Production: A Look at 200 Wells in the Williston Basin

Evaluating over 200 Bakken and Three Forks wells across the Williston Basin utilizing acoustic friction analysis provides a scalable method to measure stage-level cluster Uniformity Index (UI). By directly capturing high-frequency pressure signals during rapid rate changes, this approach isolates pipe and perforation friction to dynamically quantify how evenly fluid is distributed across clusters. Linking these real-time uniformity metrics to first nine-month cumulative production data reveals a clear, positive correlation across nearly all regions, demonstrating that a 0.1 increase in average UI can correspond to a roughly 7% production increase in the Middle Bakken and a 12% increase in the Three Forks. Ultimately, the study validates acoustic UI as a practical, real-time proxy for stimulation effectiveness, enabling data-driven optimization of completion designs to maximize early-time hydrocarbon recovery.