Minifrac Hydraulic Fracturing System
The ESS Minifrac is a compact, self-contained hydraulic fracturing system for quick biaxial in-situ stress measurement in boreholes, built for portability with a modular design that adapts to different borehole sizes and test depths.
- Recorder
- Dual mechanical and removable electronic chart recorders with detachable power pack
- Pressurisation
- Dual hand pumps for test and packer pressurisation
- Hose
- Twin hydraulic hose on heavy-duty steel reel

Overview
In detail
How it works
Hydraulic fracturing pressurises an isolated section of borehole using an inflatable straddle packer until the surrounding rock fractures. The pressure record, captured on dual mechanical and removable electronic chart recorders, is used to calculate the secondary principal stresses in the plane normal to the test hole axis.
Deployment
The system is self-contained and transportable on wheels in a lightweight case, and uses twin hydraulic hose on a heavy-duty steel reel in place of steel rods, allowing deeper, faster deployments. Dual hand pumps handle test and packer pressurisation. In coal or explosive environments the removable electronic chart recorder and battery pack detach in minutes.
Orientation
A downhole compass built into the impression packer records fracture orientation, replacing the need for separate orientation equipment.
Reach out and say hi
Specifications
Technical specifications
- Recorder
- Dual mechanical and removable electronic chart recorders with detachable power pack
- Pressurisation
- Dual hand pumps for test and packer pressurisation
- Hose
- Twin hydraulic hose on heavy-duty steel reel
- Orientation
- Impression tool with integrated electronic compass
Downloads
Documentation, openly available
Everything you need to specify, install and integrate the Minifrac Hydraulic Fracturing System — no login, no paywall.
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