Prof.  Mansoor  Zoveidavianpoor
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia,  Malaysia

Title: Sustainable Practices in Hydraulic Fracturing with Agro-Waste Proppants

Abstract:

The presentation explores research on the mechanical properties and coating effects of agro-waste ultra-lightweight proppants, with a specific focus on coconut shell particles. In this study, we aim to address the current gap in understanding the potential of these proppants for hydraulic fracturing (HF) applications. Utilizing Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations and a universal testing machine, we examine various coconut shell particle shapes. The study characterizes fine generation—a critical type of damage in proppants—and investigates the impact of surface coatings. Adopting a bilinear elastoplastic model for material behavior, our research provides comprehensive insights into the elastic and plastic properties of ultra-lightweight proppants. Key findings indicate that coated coconut shell particles exhibit superior stiffness compared to their uncoated counterparts. Notably, round-shaped coated coconut shell proppants show significant improvements in mechanical properties, including a 12.8% rise in stiffness, a 25.1% increase in breaking load, a 7.1% enhancement in fracture strain, 3.4% higher energy absorption, and a remarkable 32% reduction in fine generation. These results underscore the importance of coatings in encapsulating fines and substantially bolstering proppant strength. This research contributes essential insights for optimizing the use of agro-waste resources in HF operations, ultimately supporting more sustainable and efficient gas extraction processes.

Biography:

Dr. Mansoor Zoveidavianpoor has over 22 years of experience, built upon his technical, operational, and management roles in the industry and academia. Dr. Mansoor holds a BSc degree in Geology, MSc, and Ph.D. degrees both in Petroleum Engineering. He was involved in different disciplines such as project management, geology, flow assurance, piping construction, artificial intelligence, environmental engineering, drilling and production engineering, He has lectured several courses at the University Technology Malaysia (UTM), Petroleum University of Technology (PUT), and Islamic Azad University (IAU). He is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and registered as a Chartered Petroleum Engineer at Energy Institute, UK, and a subject specialist in geo-environmental and waste management at Department of Environment (DOE) Malaysia. He has published more than 50 publications on international peer-reviewed Journals and conferences, has contributed to 5 textbooks, and served in many scientific committees. Currently, he is working as an associate professor at UTM and is actively involved in multidisciplinary studies and currently, his main focus is on Energy Transition.