EcorpStim ( eCORP Stimulation Technologies), a subsidiary of eCORP group intends to show a video

to the stimulation associated with its latest technological innovation Pure Propane, is a reliable,
effective and operational alternative " hydraulic fracturing.
Not using water or chemical additives, the proposed technology is called ecorpStim Stimulation NFP
(Non Flammable Propane) or French Stimulation Propane Non- Flammable.
This technology, developed in 2013 by R & D teams of ecorpStim in Houston, Texas (USA) stimulation
is to use a form of fluorinated propane (heptafluoropropane) for the stimulation phase. Thus, this
option should be operational and be a demonstration on the ground by the end of 2014.
For ecorpStim, use this substance, also used as a propellant for aerosol pharmaceutical products
(inhalers) eliminate the risk of flammability classic propane, and do not pose health risks.
Like the pure propane, heptafluoropropane is recovered in gaseous form at the outlet of the well, to
be reused. This use of closed circuit must avoid the release of gases into the atmosphere, also a
prerequisite for the economic viability of the process.
The benefits (src: ecorpStim)?
1 - Remove the use of water and problems of reprocessing
"Stimulation propane saves the use of millions of m3 of water per well, since this technique does not
require a single drop of water. This non-use of water, in particular avoids any use conflicts with
agriculture, today decried the United States. Moreover, the issue of reprocessing of large amounts of
polluted water after hydraulic fracturing operations does not arise in the case of propane
stimulation. The seismic risk of the injection water used in the basement is also avoided. "
2 - Almost complete recovery of propane injected
"While in hydraulic fracturing is only recovers 30-80% of the water in the propane stimulation, the
injected gas is almost fully recovered (between 95 and 100%) and due to the low vapor pressure of
propane. Propane recovered and can be sold as such (i.e. direct insertion into the pipeline), or used
for further stimulation propane. Means that the propane stimulation allows to achieve a closed-loop
process. "
3 - A chemical formula without adjuvants
"Hydraulic fracturing requires the addition of additives (biocides, lubricants, and surfactants)
sometimes considered carcinogens. Use of propane rather than water, but also to research by
ecorpStim allows today to pass its additives and injecting a solution only. From pure propane (or
butane and / or pentane for certain types of rock), prop pants (sand and / or carbon fullerenes)
4 - Less equipment for a platform to reduced surface
"The stimulation technology developed by pure propane ecorpStim requires a reduced number of
on-site equipment. Surface of the platform is reduced accordingly. Failure to use water, but also
recovery / reuse of propane, reduces the number of trucks required to transport (transport and
reprocessing). ponds or water storage tanks are no longer required to ecorpStim optimized
processes, consisting of successive injections of small amounts of propane, finally help minimize LPG
storage on site and thus to meet European safety requirements. "
5 - Reducing emissions of greenhouse gases
"The amount of propane required for the propane is much less stimulation than the amount of water
used for hydraulic fracturing (since the density of the liquid propane is half that of water). The use of
propane thus makes it possible reduce the carbon footprint of transport, decreasing 80% ballet
trucks suppose supply thousand m3 of water and transport for reprocessing in the case of hydraulic
fracturing. "
"Deleting flares surface: In case the injected propane is reused (recovery and re-compression to
liquid form), flaring surface is drastically reduced (90%) In addition, if the methane and. ethane
products are re-injected into pipelines, flaring can be completely avoided. This avoids the emission of
thousands of tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. "
6 - Strengthening the security of the well
One criticism sometimes made against hydraulic fracturing is the possibility of leakage from wells,
particularly during the ascent of the fracturing fluid to the surface. In the case of propane
stimulation, the well is used for a particular model. Since the volume required for the passage of the
propane that is 1/10th to 1/30th of that required for the water in the hydraulic fracturing technique,
it is possible to add an additional tube, insulated by a space ring, filled with nitrogen. This greatly
reduces the risk of vibrations against the formwork during the stimulation phase. Moreover, sensors
are installed in and around the well to report in real time any abnormality during the successive
stages process (drilling, stimulation, production). This additional casing and precautions employed
make it impossible leakage of gas / sand mixture. "
7 - Increased efficiency
The first field trials have shown that the method developed by ecorpStim is more efficient than
hydraulic fracturing This technology has particular advantages in terms of costs. Reducing the
required surface, the number of devices, volumes fluids, as well as the time required to achieve
stimulation (between 1/3 and 1/10th). Should also be noted that the use of propane allows for more
regular and deep fractures. It also helps achieve a recovery of natural gas equal or higher : improving
the penetration of the fluid ( lower surface tension and lower viscosity ) , cleaning (clean -up) , and
reducing the rate of obstruction ( evacuation facilitated by passing the gas phase propane .) the fact
that many companies ( first small independent operators , major oil companies now ) have adopted
propane stimulation is concrete evidence of the effectiveness of technology in financial terms. "
8 - Seismic risk reduction
"The risk of seismicity was primarily due to injection into underground water fracturing wastewater.
Yet this issue of the reprocessing of contaminated water does not arise for technical without water.
Moreover, fracturing hydraulic triggered two earthquakes in May 2011 in Blackpool (UK). The
investigation by the British authorities concluded that the tremors were caused by lubricating an
existing fault plane, because of involuntary propagation fracturing fluid in the basement. It may also
indicate that these mini- earthquakes do not endanger humans or surrounding buildings. regarding
the extraction of shale gas in general, seismicity problems can be fully resolved by the application of
good practice: Reduction of infusion rate or total abandonment operations on the rocks identified as
potentially dangerous property upstream protocols defining how operations must be modified if a
risk seismicity is detected en route, Installation of sensors around the " Logging" injection zone,
horizontal galleries. "