Оцінка технологічної ефективності та можливості внутрішньопластової регенерації гетерогенного каталізатора у складі пропанту для гідравлічного розриву нафтових пластів

The object of this research is the process of in-situ catalytic upgrading of crude oil in a post-hydraulic fracturing environment using catalytically active proppant. The subject of research is the mechanism and conditions of in-situ catalysis of crude oil, as well as the efficiency and regeneration of the “zeolite + CrCO3” heterogeneous catalyst introduced into a proppant mixture during hydraulic fracturing. The research addressed the problem of improving the recovery of crude oils with high density, viscosity and a significant content of asphaltene-resin-paraffinic substances through in-situ catalysis using a heterogeneous catalyst injected into the formation together with proppant during hydraulic fracturing. The work aims to describe the technology for preparing catalytically active granules, justify the catalyst’s operating cycle, investigate its regenerative capacity within the formation, and propose a regeneration technology. The research analysed previous experiments aimed at determining the efficiency of the “zeolite + CrCO₃” heterogeneous catalyst and proposed a method for its preparation in the form of granules for subsequent addition to the proppant at a concentration of 20%. It was determined that one tonne of catalytically active granules provides catalytic treatment of approximately 7–8 thousand m³ of crude oil until regeneration is required. Laboratory studies of catalyst regeneration on a filtration unit in dynamic mode were conducted, which showed that six cycles of washing with a solvent based on aviation kerosene with the addition of a surfactant are sufficient. The paper also describes a technology for washing the catalyst after a decline in well performance. The obtained results can be effectively used in the design and implementation of hydraulic fracturing for oil extraction within a temperature range of 100–120°C. The proposed technology enables a significant increase in well production rates and the efficiency of field operations.