Ive run into this bug as well but im currently on Mining Productivity 11 and it seems fickle on what combination of research i can mess with so im going to let it ride and see what happens and i have auto save set to every 3 minutes now for backups.
ver. [x.17.4]

Apparently if i try to actively research Coal Liquification it crashes my game, i do have some mods but none that affect any sort or fluid modifications or major gameplay changing mods.

Log attached.