Petroleum Development Laboratory

The Petroleum Development Laboratory is a subsidiary of the Institute for Northern Engineering at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. PDL works with industry and agencies to improve oil and natural gas production from Alaska’s vast petroleum provinces. PDL assists clients with their research needs and can replicate “down hole” and atmospheric conditions. Our research is conducted in an environmentally conscientious manner that protects the safety of workers, nearby residents, as well as the fragile ecosystems. PDL conducts basic and applied research in areas such as reservoir characterization, modeling, and simulation; enhanced oil recovery; and fluid characterization, drilling, and production. PDL assists the Alaska petroleum industry, state agencies, and federal agencies in efforts to make better use of these resources under stable and healthy environmental conditions. Major research areas are listed below- Reservoir Characterization, Modeling and Simulation - Enhanced Oil Production Methods - Formation Damage Evaluation - Coreflooding Experimental Studies - Drilling and Completions - Rock and Fluid Properties - Origin of Overpressure and Pore Pressure Prediction