Synthesis and Applications of Nanomaterials in Enhanced Oil Recovery

Abstract

Given the large amount of by-passed oil and gas and low oil recovery factors in many reservoirs coupled with global energy demand projected to rise as high as almost 60%in the next 30 years particularly in Africa, it is quite evident that convectional petroleum engineering techniques are not adequate and efficient for reservoir characterization and production optimization. This challenging trend may be met only by revolutionary breakthroughs in energy science and technology. The industry thus requires stunning discoveries in underlying core science and engineering which can only be accomplished through integration and global approach. Breakthroughs in nanotechnology open up the possibility of enhancing and optimizing oil and gas production beyond the current available technology by introducing innovative concepts that are more efficient and environmentally friendly. The term "nanotechnology" covers processes associated with the creation and utilization of structures in the 1.0 nanometer (nm) to 100 nm range. Nanofabrication involves engineering at the atomic length scale. It no doubt, offers substantial economic and societal benefits than any technology and holds the promise of both incremental improvements of existing products and the potential for revolutionary changes that could transform entire industries. Nanotechnology is characterized to be a multidisciplinary field, making it inherently innovative and more precise than other technologies. In this paper, the greatest potential for innovative solutions in enhanced oil recovery (particularly water flooding) through the investigation and synthesis of water-based nano-particle will be discussed.

Effect of the Application of Aluminium Oxide on Recovery in Enhanced Oil Recovery

“…Nanotechnology has had gigantic impact in nearly every industry from consumer electronics to healthcare and telecommunication [15]. Nanotechnology has also been applied in the oil and gas industry, such as in Enhanced Oil Recovery Technology, but however has had relatively limited application in the field [15].…”

“…From a lab test, [15] test showed that small concentrations of nanoparticles can increase the viscosity of water-based fluids without reasonably affecting their densities and could provide potential enhancement in the efficiency of oil recovery. According to [15], the surface environment is generally incompatible with the stability envelope of a lot of nanoparticles. Protective or active layers can be fabricated around the particles in order to shield them from high temperature, pressure and unfavourable chemicals that are in the reservoir.…”

“…The primary cause of retention of nanoparticles in the reservoir is the interaction or communication between nanoparticles and the contact surface of the porous rock [15].…”

Applications of nanotechnology in oil and gas industry: Progress and perspective

“…The nanofluids technique has the potential to further increase production over traditional chemical EOR, and also in enhancing the injection effect, which has gained worldwide attentions. [21,[38][39][40][41] Capillary number, reservoir surface wettability, and nanomaterial properties are factors to be considered in nanofluids technique. Using molecular dynamics simulation, Miranda et al [42] studied the effect of reservoir surface wettability and nanofluid diffusion behaviour at the molecular level, and also examined the stability and mobility of functionalized silica nanoparticles.…”