Technique for cheaper shale oil extraction
Researchers at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) have developed mathematical models and software enabling Russian shale oil producers to reduce development costs. Multiple hydraulic fracturing (aka hydrofracking) is a standard shale oil extraction technique. It involves the high-pressure injection of fluid into a horizontal borehole. The fluid used is typically water with sand or other specially designed additives (called proppants). The rock formation is first fractured by water, allowing oil to flow freely into the borehole. When the pressure is released, the fractures are held open by the proppant. This speeds up oil extraction and increases production output. However, this technique relies on preliminary calculations; if these are ignored, enormous financial losses could result.