HyFTS June Quarterly International Webinar Coming Up

Please join us for our SPE Hydraulic Fracturing Technical Section Monthly Webinar!

HyFTS Webinar (June 16, 2026, 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM CST)

Register here: https://lnkd.in/gGQ_5yFb

Keynote Speaker: Tony Martin, Director, Kew Petroleum Ltd.

Title: Stabilizing Propped Hydraulic Fractures in Soft Chalks using Diammonium Hydrogen Phosphate: Preparation and Trial.

Abstract:

Fracture stimulation (propped or acid) of soft chalk formations typically suffers from a loss of fracture conductivity over time, due to a gradual failure of the fracture face and production of fines. Diammonium Hydrogen Phosphate, or DAP, has been used for generations by masons and sculptors to produce a surface hardness to carved limestone. Exposure of chalk samples to low concentration solutions of DAP have shown significant increases in relevant mechanical properties. Until recently this was confined to the laboratory and this paper discusses the progress made with DAP in the Norwegian Sector of the North Sea, up to and including first field trial.

This paper will discuss the underlying laboratory testing performed to establish the effectiveness of this mechanical property improvement and mitigation of any detrimental effects, in order to assess the recommended strength and quantity for use. This testing included simple soak tests, core flow testing, proppant conductivity testing, fluid stability and materials compatibility, as well as additional requirements to qualify this chemistry for use in the Norwegian Sector of the North Sea. Included in this are a suite of yard-based mixing trials, and the qualification and mobilisation of a Platform Supply Vessel (PSV)-based equipment spread to perform the initial treatment.

Also included in this paper will be the laboratory testing that demonstrates the improvement in mechanical properties that has been achieved, along with decisions and directional trends that were taken with the chemistry development. Following on from this, the paper will detail preparation and execution of the first field trial performed with the DAP chemistry, into a horizontal lateral already completed with 20 individually propped fractured intervals. The paper will report the considerations made, intervention approach that was selected, as well as the manner in which these treatments will be designed. Finally, the execution data will be presented which shows the formation responses.

This paper will conclude with the lessons learned from the field trial and recommendations for the continued testing and use of this material. As noted, this treatment is - to the best of the Authors’ knowledge - the first time this material has ever been pumped into an oil or gas well, globally.

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Bio:  

Tony Martin graduated from Imperial College, London, in 1990 with an Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters Degree in Petroleum Engineering. After leaving University, he spent the first 26 years of his career with in the service sector, with first Halliburton, but then mostly with Baker Hughes. For the last 10 years he has been a consultant. Tony has lived in Aberdeen, Russia, The Netherlands, Nigeria, Singapore, Indonesia, the USA, Italy and London. During his career he has been extensively involved in cementing, coiled tubing, sand control, acidizing, water control and chalk consolidation operations, but his main interest and experience has always been in hydraulic fracturing. During his career, Tony has been involved in fracturing projects in more than 50 countries all over the world.

Tony is currently Director of Kew Petroleum Ltd, an independent production enhancement consultancy. Prior to this, he was Baker Hughes’ Reservoir Development Services’ Director for Fracture Optimisation, for the Europe-Africa-Russia-Caspian Region and prior to this he was their Director of Offshore Stimulation. He was also the global Baker Hughes Subject Matter Expert in Hydraulic Fracturing and Stimulation. In these roles, he travelled extensively promoting fracturing and stimulation, and acted as a technical focal point for the company. He is the author or co-author of numerous technical papers and has served on the technical committees for several Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) events. He is the author of The Baker Hughes’ Hydraulic Fracturing Manual and co-editor of Modern Fracturing: Enhancing Natural Gas Production with Prof. Micheal Economides. Tony is an SPE Distinguished Lecturer and has also served on the SPE Distinguished Lecturer Committee. In 2009 Tony received the SPE South, Central and East Europe Regional Technical Award for Production Operations. In 2015, Tony was elected a Distinguished Member of the SPE, which he has been a member of since 1989.

Tony has been a UK Chartered Engineer since 1997 and is a member of the UK’s Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.

 
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UPCOMING SPE CONFERENCES 2026

• SPE Offshore Technology Conference: 26OTC
• SPE/AAPG/SEG Unconventional Resources Technology Conference (URTeC): 26URTC
• SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition: 26ATCE

Please visit SPE Events Calender  for full list of events worldwide.

RECENT EVENTS

HyFTS Networking Reception took place at the SPE Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference held in February 2026, The Woodlands, Texas.

Keynote Speaker was Kyle Haustveit, Assistant Secretary, Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office.   

Awards and recognitions were presented at the reception.

Also, at the Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference (HFTC) 2026 the Stephen A. Holditch Opening Plenary Keynote was given by Chris Wright, United States Secretary of Energy.  

2026 SPE Legend of Hydraulic Fracturing presented to Dr. Bob Barree. 

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