Hydraulic fracturing

Stimulation & Fracturing

Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is a well stimulation technique used to enhance hydrocarbon flow from low-permeability reservoirs (like shale) by creating conductive fractures in the rock. Fluid is pumped at extremely high pressures to exceed the fracture gradient of the formation, cracking the rock open.

Once the fracture is created, 'proppant' (sand or ceramic beads) is pumped into the crack to hold it open after pressure is released. This creates high-conductivity pathways for oil and gas to flow to the wellbore, unlocking vast resources that were previously uneconomic to produce.