The past decade has seen a resurgence in U.S. oil and gas production, led by the rapid development of shale plays across the country. The dual technological advancements in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have been largely responsible for turning shale reservoirs from inaccessible source rock to profitable production targets. By some industry estimates, hydraulic fracturing is used on approximately 90% of all newly completed wells within the U.S., and interest is growing around the globe. The majority of these wells (more than 80% by some estimates) employ the "plug-and-perf" method of multi-zone fracturing, in which composite plugs are pumped downhole and set in place to isolate zones, and ensure that simulation fluids are directed into a specific zone. The rapid rise of shale drilling in the U.S. has slowed recently, due to the drop in global oil and gas prices. This has prompted operators to search for new methods of optimizing the development and operation of their existing assets, in ways that maximize production with minimal costs.
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