Utilizing Acoustic Pipe and Perf Friction Measurements for Completion Design Optimization in the Vaca Muerta Basin

As many advancements and technologies in hydraulic fracturing continue to make their way to the VacaMuerta basin, Argentina has become home to one of the fastest growing shale plays globally. To build onthe success of US unconventional, an Argentinian operator opted to incorporate real-time acoustic frictionanalysis as a tool for design evaluation and optimization. Real-time measurements during fracturingtreatments have given the operator the ability to evaluate changes to their design. This paper presentsworkflows that incorporate live surface-based measurements of pipe friction, perforation friction and clusterdistribution, to enable informed decision-making for improving completion strategies both in performanceand economics.