The company's engineers have developed a system capable of replicating the geological and physical conditions of specific oil fields. Using this equipment, specialists select the optimal materials to enhance oil recovery efficiency through hydraulic fracturing (HF).

Modern Challenges in Oil Production

At most Russian oil fields in the 21st century, simply drilling wells is no longer sufficient for adequate oil extraction. Traditional methods allow for the recovery of only 15–30% of hydrocarbon reserves, while the remaining portion is considered difficult to extract. Oil is often trapped in the pores of rock formations, at depths of up to three kilometers, and frequently under conditions of permafrost.

Hydraulic Fracturing Technology

One of the main ways to increase oil production is hydraulic fracturing (HF). This involves drilling a well down to the oil-bearing layer, into which fluid is injected under high pressure. This process creates fractures through which oil can flow to the well. To prevent these fractures from closing on their own, a proppant—a special material, usually in the form of ceramic granules, treated quartz sand, or their mixtures—is introduced into them.

The Importance of Proppant Selection

Accurate selection of the proppant composition is essential for the economic efficiency of operations at each field. Standard laboratory tests do not always account for the unique characteristics of individual wells, the analysis and drilling of which have already required significant resources.

New Laboratory Complex

The company's scientists have created a laboratory complex for selecting materials that improve oil recovery at fields with hard-to-extract reserves. The system replicates the temperature, pressure, and other parameters of oil-bearing formations, allowing for the modeling of HF on specific wells and the assessment of the effectiveness of various proppant compositions. The equipment, developed in Russia, enables experiments to be conducted under conditions as close to real-life as possible.

Application and Prospects

The complex has proven its effectiveness in preparing for HF at the Chonsky group of fields in Yakutia, where formations are characterized by abnormally low temperatures. Specialists selected a proppant that ensured reliable fracture fixation and increased well productivity. Even a 1% increase in production at large fields means tens of thousands of tons of oil per year. In the future, the equipment is planned to be used for HF preparation at other company sites in Eastern and Western Siberia.