The oil and gas industry continues to push the limits of completions efficiency, with high-intensity operations like simul-frac and trimul-frac becoming the norm. However, these operations are only as effective as their supporting infrastructure—especially water transfer. One major challenge operators face is ensuring sufficient water volume at the right rate, without increasing costs or logistical complexity.
The Challenge: Water Logistics
A leading supermajor in the Permian Basin recognized that existing water infrastructure limitations could impact frac rates and overall efficiency. With completions designs evolving to demand higher water volumes, they needed a solution to optimize transfer rates without adding excessive costs or complexity.
The Solution: Drag Reducer Chemistry
Select Chemistry took a new approach—working hand-in-hand with the operator to develop a custom drag reducer formulation tailored to their unique water conditions and operational demands.
By injecting DRA at the source, upstream of the frac location, the operator achieved:
✅ 50% increase in volumetric throughput
✅ Reduced chemical costs per barrel
✅ Lower fuel consumption & CO₂ emissions
✅ Faster time to rate, optimizing completion schedules
The Results: Real-World Performance
Following successful field trials, the operator deployed DRA across four full-time frac crews. Not only did the technology enhance water transfer, but it also reduced the on-site chemical footprint and improved pump efficiency. Additionally, integrating AquaView™ enabled real-time optimization of transfer rates and fuel consumption, making the solution even more cost-effective.