Instrumentation for research on unconventional oil and gas
The infrastructure at the University of Toronto has unique capabilities to target critical questions surrounding hydraulic fracturing technology. This infrastructure uniquely quantifies: (a) the fluid transport; (b) the rock fracture impacts on fluid transport; and (c) the local pore scale transport relevant to hydraulic fracturing. The Sinton Lab transport facility includes a custom system suited to the unique physical characteristics of the fracture process, specifically: (1) the high operating pressures and temperatures, and (2) the nanoscale geometries of interest. This facility uniquely enables the study of fluid transport and phase change processes at nanoscales, temperatures and pressures characteristic of unconventional oil and gas operations.
- Fluid sample analysis
- Fluid transport analysis
- Rock fracture modelling
- Thermodynamic phase analysis
- Energy
- Environmental technologies and related services
- Mining, minerals and metals
Specialized labs and equipment
| Equipment | Function |
|---|---|
| Nanofluidic fluid transport analysis system (optics, pumps, controllers and chips) | In situ analysis of reservoir fluid transport at relevant temperatures, pressures in nanoscale channels. Analysis of phase change at nanoscales, phase envelops of complex mixtures, and coupled thermodynamic and transport phenomena at the nanoscale. |
Private and public sector research partners
- Suncor Energy
- Schlumberger