Independents are high grading their development programs to maximize well economics and recoveries in core areas. Optimizing multistage hydraulic fracturing-the largest single component in the well cost equation-is a focal point of efforts to improve asset performance. Advances in composite zonal isolation tools are revolutionizing plug-and-perf techniques by increasing stimulation flexibility and efficiency while reducing rig time and water consumption. 58 THE AMERICAN OIL & GAS REPORTER