Университет Тохоку разработал новый метод гидроразрыва для вулканических пород

Tohoku University develops GLDA fracturing method for volcanic rock KEY POINTS - Tohoku University develops hydraulic fracturing method combining GLDA and scleroglucan for volcanic rock reservoirs - Reactive viscous fluid suppresses leakage, weakens rock chemically and promotes crack opening without excessive pressure increases - Geothermics publishes study on July 13, supporting geothermal and natural gas reservoir stimulation in Japan Tohoku University has developed a new hydraulic fracturing method that uses plant- and microbe-derived components to open flow paths in deep rock formations with lower pressure burdens, according to a July 16 release. The technology is aimed at geothermal power and natural gas development, where creating fractures in deep underground rock is necessary to form pathways for fluids. In high-temperature formations, water viscosity declines and injected fluid can more easily escape into pre-existing cracks and voids, making rock harder to fracture or preventing fractures from opening sufficiently. A research group at Tohoku University's Graduate School of Environmental Studies, including specially appointed assistant professors Eko Pramudyo and Luis Salala and professor Noriaki Watanabe, developed what it calls a reactive viscous fluid fracturing method for volcanic rock, a representative rock type in geothermal and natural gas reservoirs. The method combines GLDA, a chelating agent that can be produced from plant-derived raw materials, with scleroglucan, a microbe-derived thickening polysaccharide. GLDA reacts with mineral components in the rock and locally weakens it, while scleroglucan gives the fluid viscosity and tends to retain that viscosity at high temperatures. The combined fluid integrates viscosity to reduce fluid loss, chemical reactivity to weaken rock, and chelating action to reduce clogging. Laboratory experiments confirmed that the approach can promote fracture initiation and opening in rock while suppressing excessive increases in injection pressure. The related paper, titled "Reactive viscous fluid fracturing of volcanic rocks: chemical weakening offsets viscosity-induced pressure increase," was published in the international academic journal Geothermics on July 13. The paper's DOI is 10.1016/j.geothermics.2026.103752. The authors are Eko Pramudyo, Nagi Obata, Luis Salala, Jiajie Wang and Noriaki Watanabe. Tohoku University has also filed a patent application related to the hydraulic fracturing technology, application number 2025-77753. Japan has long sought to expand use of domestic energy resources, including geothermal power, as a country with limited fossil fuel reserves. Hydraulic fracturing in this context refers to reservoir stimulation technology used to create or widen flow paths in underground rock, rather than the broader shale oil and gas production model more commonly associated with the term in North America. The university said the study was supported by multiple Japan Society for the Promotion of Science research grants, and rock core samples used in the research were provided by INPEX. The paper was also made open access under Tohoku University's 2026 support program for article processing charges. © Copyright 2026 IBTimes JP. All rights reserved.