For the last 25 years, the Integrated Core Characterization Center (IC3) has evolved into a state-of-the-art petrophysics laboratory, supporting both educational and research purposes. Building upon existing capabilities, MPGE assistant professor Dr. Son Dang has expanded its research scope to address increasingly complex energy challenges.
One of the latest innovations involves his research group integrating technology such as dynamic Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) core-flooding to understand how oil and gas molecules are effectively produced from the nanoporous matrix of shale reservoirs. This understanding allows engineers to optimize both primary production and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes. While many conventional in situ monitoring techniques cannot be applied to unconventional tight rocks, replicating reservoir temperature and pressure conditions in the lab with this technology provides critical insights for how the petroleum industry can extract more hydrocarbons from mature fields.
In addition to NMR advancements, Dr. Dang is expanding the IC3's capabilities through the acquisition of complementary material characterization instruments, including Thermogravimetric-Infrared Spectroscopy (TGA-FTIR) and Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrometry. These additions support comprehensive studies of the geochemical and petrophysical alteration of subsurface materials during processes like EOR, carbon sequestration, or underground hydrogen storage.
An example of emerging geological resources is critical mineral extraction from produced waters, which has the potential to extend the economic viability of marginal wells. Dr. Dang’s team recently invested in a high-field NMR spectrometer (100 MHz) and developed a novel workflow to measure Lithium concentration in wastewater with high precision, even at low concentrations of 10 ppm. Compared to conventional analyses, this approach can help overcome complex sample preparation and reduce analysis time from days to minutes. This capability is key to developing cost-effective Lithium resource maps across different mature petroleum fields with high water cut. Especially in the state of Oklahoma, there is limited data to understand the potential of critical minerals in O&G produced water. Moreover, this 100 MHz spectrometer serves as an essential instrument, allowing researchers to evaluate the efficiency of engineering processes to extract Lithium not only from reservoir fluids but also from the rock matrix.
