(1) Acidizing consists of pumping anywhere from 50 to thousands of gallons of acid down the well.
The acid travels down the tubing, enters the perforations, and contacts the formation. Continued pumping forces
the acid into the formation where it etches channels. These channels provide a way for the formation's oil to enter
the well through the perforations.
(2) Hydraulic fracturing involves pumping a specially blended fluid down the well and into the
formation under great pressure. Pumping continues until the formation literally cracks open. Proppants (sand,
walnut hulls, or aluminum pellets) are mixed into the fracturing fluid. These enter the fractures in the formation.
When pumping has stopped and the pressure has been allowed to dissipate, the proppants hold or prop the
fractures open to allow passage for the oil.
19-7
QM5200
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