Analysis of Unconventional Well Performance Through the Production Data of Bakken Formation

Abstract Hydraulic fracturing for unconventional reservoirs in horizontal wells has led to a decisive improvement in U S domestic oil and gas production capabilities. The focus in this paper is on the wells’ production from the Bakken formation in the state of North Dakota Through the study of over 100 wells at three different decades (1998, 2008, & 2018) via logarithmic slope analysis of inverse cumulative production, this paper illustrates that the recovery from the matrix is minimal at best but indeed the experience factor has been effective in fracturing better. This is a case study for understanding the complex interplay of factors affecting production in the Bakken Formation. By studying the production data of individual wells and analyzing subsequent long-term trends for at least 5 years, this paper seeks to examine the progress in effectiveness of fracturing on the production behavior of unconventional wells produced in the Bakken play.