Hydro-Frac Lab

Pasargad Energy Fracturing Process Design Specialized Laboratory at Amirkabir University of Technology (Hydro-Frac Lab)

Pasargad Energy Development Company (PEDC), in collaboration with Pasargad Exploration, Development, and Production Company (a PEDC subsidiary), has established the Pasargad Energy Fracturing Process Design Specialized Laboratory. This initiative aims to develop advanced technologies and enhance technical knowledge in the field of fracturing processes to increase the productivity of oil wells and strengthen the connection between industry and academia.

The main goal of this laboratory is to improve the performance of production wells, particularly in reservoirs with low permeability, commonly known as "Tight Reservoirs," such as the Ilam and Sepehr-Jofeir reservoirs. This is achieved through comprehensive studies and applied research in the field of hydraulic fracturing and stimulation processes. In this process, high pressures are applied to create controlled fractures within the formation, resulting in fractures with high permeability, facilitating the flow of reservoir fluids toward the production well. The primary advantage of this technology is the increase in production rates and more efficient recovery from reservoirs with reduced dependence on new wells. The implementation of hydraulic fracturing processes in fields like Sepehr-Jofeir not only contributes to increasing the country's technical capacity in hydraulic fracturing but also provides valuable scientific and operational data that can serve as a reference for improving operations in other fields across the country.

Applications and equipments of Pasargad Energy Fracturing Process Design Specialized Laboratory at Amirkabir University of Technology

This laboratory has three main sections, each precisely designed for the study and optimization of acid and proppant hydraulic fracturing processes:

Equipment for Measuring Fracture Properties and Failure Conditions:

The first and main section of the laboratory includes devices for measuring key parameters in the hydraulic fracturing process, such as fracture conductivity, fracture pressure, and properties of acid and proppant. These parameters are essential for determining the most suitable material combinations and pressure conditions to create effective and stable fractures. By accurately analyzing these data, the process design can be improved, resulting in enhanced formation permeability and fluid flow into the production well.

Equipment for Evaluating Fracturing Fluid Additives:

This section is dedicated to testing and evaluating fluid additives used in hydraulic fracturing processes. By examining the physical and chemical properties of these additives, it is possible to design optimized acid-based fluids that will perform efficiently under reservoir conditions. This laboratory also provides the capability to assess and evaluate the quality of cementing operations and wellbore integrity. Given the complex structure of alternating high-pressure water and oil layers in reservoirs, optimizing cement quality behind casing plays a critical role in well stability, safety, and preventing fluid migration between layers while reducing the risk of water intrusion into the production section. Therefore, the quality control tests for cement and the simulations in this laboratory can significantly contribute to the improved design and execution of cementing operations, ensuring reliable results in field operations.

Modeling and Simulation Center Based on Artificial Intelligence:

This section utilizes experimental data to develop advanced, accurate simulation models based on artificial intelligence algorithms. By combining experimental data with AI techniques, it becomes possible to predict reservoir behavior and optimize hydraulic fracturing processes with high precision. These simulations can serve as powerful tools for designing and monitoring operations in various fields under different conditions, ensuring optimal outcomes in real-time applications.

The equipments in this laboratory includes:

Acid Injection Simulator for Fracturing Processes

Proppant Injection & Conductivity Measurment Apparatus

Functions, Capabilities and Specifications of the Acid Injection Simulator for Fracturing Processes

Functions and capabilities of the Acid Injection Simulator for Fracturing Processes:

• Simulation of acid injection into fractures at various fracture angles
• Measurement of fracture conductivity in acid fracturing processes
• Measurement of fluid leak-off from fracture walls
• Measurement of fluid permeability from fracture walls

Specifications of the Acid Injection Simulator for Fracturing Processes:

• Maximum fracture closure pressure: up to 20,000 psi
• Applied force through the jack: 1000 kN (100 tons)
• Maximum operating temperature: 300°F
• Pressure sensor accuracy: 0.05% of full scale
• Maximum injection pressure: 8,000 psi
• Ability to use various additives in the injected fluid
• Materials and equipment in contact with acid: Hastelloy C-276

Proppant Injection and Fracture
Conductivity Measurement Device

The Proppant Injection and Fracture Conductivity Measurement Device is an advanced technology designed for precise analysis of hydraulic fracturing performance. By integrating hydraulic rock mechanics engineering with laboratory control, it enables realistic simulations of proppant injection conditions. Through detailed experiments, the effects of variables such as pressure, temperature, and injection rate on fracture conductivity are examined, providing essential data for optimizing fracturing operations in hydrocarbon reservoirs.

Developed for the first time in Iran, this system plays a key role in evaluating different fracturing techniques, including the combined injection of acid and proppant. Due to its high simulation accuracy, researchers and engineers can align experimental tests with real reservoir conditions, leading to increased recovery rates, lower operational costs, and improved hydraulic fracturing success in the country's oil and gas fields.

Functions, Capabilities and Specifications of Proppant Injection Conductivity Measurment Apparatus

Functions and Capabilities of the Proppant Injection and Fracture Conductivity Measurement Device:

• Precise Fracture Angle Adjustment with a hydraulic loading jack, enabling high-precision empirical assessment of fracture conductivity changes.
• Continuous and Controlled Proppant Injection at a set rate, simulating real deposition and arrangement on fracture surfaces for permeability evaluation.
• Combined Acid and Proppant Injection in a Single Cycle to enhance permeability and maintain long-term fracture stability without process interruption.
• Simulation of Real Reservoir Conditions with controlled stress and temperature variations to closely replicate field conditions.
• Evaluation of Proppant Performance in Fracturing Operations to analyze the role of proppants in fracture stability and conductivity.
• Measurement of Proppant Particle Conductivity under closing stress and high temperatures with 0.05% accuracy across the entire range.
• Measurement of Conductivity for Liquid and Gas Fluids to assess fracture behavior under different fluid flow conditions.
• Assessment of Various Proppants' Performance under closing stress up to 20,000 psi for optimized selection.
• Capability to Inject Proppant and Examine Proppant Placement within fractures to ensure optimal distribution and effectiveness.
• Capability to Inject Acid and Proppant in Combination and measure fracture conductivity for a comprehensive evaluation of hybrid fracturing techniques.

Specifications of the Proppant Injection and Fracture Conductivity Measurement Device:

• Fluid Injection Pressure: 5,000 psi
• Maximum Force Applied via Hydraulic Jack: 1,000 kN (100 tons)
• Maximum Overburden Pressure on Core: 20,000 psi
• Maximum Operating Temperature: 300°F
• Sample Width: 1.75 inches
• Rock Sample Length: 7 inches
• Materials Used: Stainless Steel 316 / Hastelloy C-276
• Capability to Inject Fluid at Different Fracture Angles

Pasargad Energy Fracturing Process Design Specialized Laboratory at Amirkabir University of Technology (Hydro-Frac Lab)

Applications and equipments of Pasargad Energy Fracturing Process Design Specialized Laboratory at Amirkabir University of Technology

The equipments in this laboratory includes:

Acid Injection Simulator for Fracturing Processes

Proppant Injection & Conductivity Measurment Apparatus

Functions, Capabilities and Specifications of the Acid Injection Simulator for Fracturing Processes

Proppant Injection and Fracture
Conductivity Measurement Device

Functions, Capabilities and Specifications of Proppant Injection Conductivity Measurment Apparatus

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