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perforations.

Fracturing

Another treatment that may improve flow is fracturing. A fracturing service
company pumps a specially blended liquid down the well's tubing and into the
perforations. The pumps develop a great deal of pressure at very high rates of flow.
Continued pumping causes the formation to split, or fracture, much as a steel wedge
causes a log to split. The fracturing crew adds a finely graded sand or similar material
(a proppant) to the fracturing fluid. The proppant enters the fracture in the formation.
When the fracturing crew stops the pumps, the pressure dissipates. With the pressure
gone, the fracture tries to close. The proppants, however, hold the fracture open. This
propped-open fracture provides a passage for hydrocarbons to flow into the well.

4 Find synonyms in the text for the following words.

filling well location
to block producing zone
team drill truck
concrete hole
top cable
disassemble the rig production tree

5 Find antonyms in the text for the following words.

dry well divided
rise remove
closure unwound
connect separation
fortify hire
remove /displace collect

6 Say whether the following statements are true or false.
1. The drilling crew drills the hole so that it goes all the way through the producing
horizon and stops a long distance below.
2. The operator hires the services of a completion rig, which is a relatively small
portable rig whose crews perform the final operations required to bring the well
into production.
3. Formation fluids, which include water and acid, flow through these perforations
and into the well.
4. After the well is perforated, oil and gas can flow out the casing or liner.
5. The main advantage of coiled tubing is that crew members have to connect
several single joints of tubing when installing the string.
6. Tubing protects the casing from the corrosive and erosive effects of produced

fluids.

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