The document discusses how nanotechnology can be used to improve oil and gas extraction from reservoirs. It proposes developing intelligent subsurface sensors at the micro and nano scale that can map reservoirs in 3D and improve recovery. These sensors would provide better characterization of reservoir spaces to extract more oil and gas. Nanotechnology may enable lighter, stronger and more durable drilling equipment as well as improved separation of oil and gas in reservoirs.

1. UTILISE
NANOTECHNOLOGY
TO
EXPLOIT
RESERVOIRS
BEOYND
TODAY’S
RECOVERY
LIMITS

2. Nanotechnology
can
be
used
to
squeeze
more
oil
and
gas
out
from
subsurface
formaKons.
Primary
goal
must
be
to
develop
intelligent
subsurface
micro
and
nano
sensors
that
can
be
injected
into
reservoirs
to
help
characterize
the
space
in
three
dimensions
and
improve
the
recovery
of
exisKng
and
new
hydrocarbon
resources.
The
hope
is
that
these
sensors
will
enable
the
mapping
of
the
reservoirs
in
3-­‐D
and
improve
the
ability
to
extract
oil
and
gas
from
the
porous
rock.
Nanotechnology
is
poised
to
impact
dramaKcally
on
all
sectors
of
industry.
Nanotechnology
could
be
used
to
enhance
the
possibiliKes
of
developing
convenKonal
and
stranded
gas
resources.
Nanotechnology
can
be
used
to
improve
the
drilling
process
and
oil
and
gas
producKon
by
making
it
easier
to
separate
oil
and
gas
in
the
reservoir.
Nanotechnology
can
make
the
industry
considerably
greener.
There
are
numerous
areas
in
which
nanotechnology
can
contribute
to
more-­‐efficient,
less-­‐expensive,
and
more-­‐environmentally
sound
technologies
than
those
that
are
readily
available.

3. Nanotechnology
Nano”
denotes
a
thousand
millionths
(10−9),
with
a
nanometer
equaling
a
millionth
of
a
millimeter.
That
corresponds
to
the
width
of
10
hydrogen
atoms.
A
nanometer
is
merely
ten
angstroms
long
where
an
angstrom
is
named
a^er
Swedish
astronomer
and
physicist,
Ångström,
Anders
Jonas
(1814–1874),
who
was
one
of
the
early
formulators
of
the
science
of
modern
spectroscopy.
Ångström
wrote
extensively
on
terrestrial
magneKsm,
the
conducKon
of
heat,
and
especially
spectroscopy.
He
published
a
monumental
map
of
the
normal
solar
spectrum
that
expressed
the
length
of
light
waves
in
units
of
one
ten-­‐millionth
of
a
millimeter.
This
unit
of
length
usually
used
to
specify
radiaKon
wavelengths
is
now
known
as
the
angstrom
(10-­‐10
meters).
He
discovered
that
hydrogen
is
present
in
the
sun's
atmosphere,
and
he
was
the
first
to
examine
the
spectrum
of
the
aurora
borealis.
Although,
the
diameter
of
atoms
varies
and
the
basic
unit
is
taken
to
be
the
Bohr
radius
(5.2917725
x
10-­‐11
m),
the
diameter
of
an
atom
depending
upon
the
element
is
approximately
one
to
five
angstroms.
This
puts
from
2
to
10
atoms
in
a
nanometer
and
2000
to
10000
atoms
in
a
micrometer.
For
example,
there
are
about
3
silicon
atom
diameters
in
a
nanometer.

4. Nanotechnology
in
Oil
and
Gas
The
oil
industry
needs
strong,
stable
materials
in
virtually
all
of
its
processes.
By
building
up
such
substances
on
a
nanoscale,
it
could
produce
equipment
that
is
lighter,
more
resistant,
and
stronger.
Development
of
silicon
carbide,
a
ceramic
powder,
in
nano
size
was
the
first
step
on
its
way,
it
yields
excepKonally
hard
materials.
Now
invesKgaKngs
are
ongoing
creaKng
other
composites
and
that
has
nanocrystalline
substances
which
can
contribute
to
harder,
more
wear-­‐resistant
and
more
durable
drilling
equipment
.
Nanotubes
have
many
potenKal
applicaKons
within
the
oil
industry.
For
instance,
nanotubes
could
be
used
to
create
lighter,
stronger,
and
more
corrosion-­‐resistant
structural
materials
in
plakorms
for
offshore
drilling.
Nanotechnology
could
help
improve
oil
and
gas
producKon
by
making
it
easier
to
separate
oil
and
gas
in
the
reservoir—for
instance,
through
improved
understanding
of
processes
at
the
molecular
level.
There
are
many
other
potenKal
clean
energy
sources
that
could
be
enhanced
through
the
use
of
nanotechnology.
The
pracKcal
applicaKon
of
nanotechnology
in
the
oil
sector
is,
fortunately,
less
frightening.
It
opens
interesKng
prospects
for
improved
oil
recovery,
not
least
through
bener
understanding
of
processes
at
the
interface
between
liquids
and
solids.
The
aim
is
to
understand
how
oil
and
water
can
be
separated
more
effecKvely.
Nanotechnology
could
be
applied
to
improved
oil
recovery
in
the
form
of
tailoring
surfactants.
These
can
then
be
added
to
the
reservoir
in
a
more
controlled
way
than
with
exisKng
substances,
thereby
releasing
more
oil.
It
could
also
help
develop
new
metering
techniques
with
Kny
sensors
to
provide
improved
informaKon
about
the
reservoir.

5. Nanotechnology
-­‐
Sensors
In
high-­‐temperature/high-­‐pressure
condiKons,
old
electrical
sensors
and
other
measuring
tools
o^en
are
not
reliable.
But
researchers
currently
are
developing
a
set
of
reliable
and
economical
sensors
from
opKcal
fibers
for
measuring
temperature
and
pressure,
oil-­‐flow
rate,
and
acousKc
waves
in
oil
wells.
These
new
sensors
are
small
in
size,
work
safely
in
the
presence
of
electromagneKc
fields,
are
able
to
work
in
high
temperatures
and
pressures,
and
can
be
changed
at
a
sensible
cost
without
interfering
in
the
procedure
of
oil
exploraKon.
Changing
and
displacing
old
sensors
in
oil
wells
is
very
costly.
But
this
technology
could,
with
its
accurate
and
reliable
measurements,
make
a
great
improvement
in
oil
exploraKon.
In
the
future,
the
industry
may
be
using
nanoscale
sensors
for
probing
properKes
deep
in
the
reservoir,
allowing
us
to
unravel
the
complex
nature
of
the
rock/fluid
interacKons
and
their
effects
on
mulKphase
flow
and
providing
the
ability
to
design
a
suitable
exploitaKon
plan
for
the
asset.
Another
area
of
significant
challenge
lies
in
the
upgrading
of
bitumen
and
heavy
crude
oil.
Because
of
their
high
density
and
viscosity,
it
is
difficult
to
handle
and
transport
them
to
locaKons
where
they
could
be
converted
into
valuable
products.
Significant
resources
and
intense
research
acKviKes
have
been
devoted
to
develop
processes
and
specifically
designed
catalysts
for
on-­‐site
field
upgrading
combined
with
hydrogen/methane
producKon.
These
processes
would
incorporate
a
minimized
and
controlled
carbon
rejecKon,
in
conjuncKon
with
a
catalyKcally
enhanced
hydrogen
generaKon
performed
on
the
rejected
carbon
from
the
upgrading
process.
This
central
acKvity
will
be
complemented
with
an
effort
to
integrate
the
research
for
ultradispersed
catalyKc
formulas
for
the
in-­‐situ
upgrading
of
bitumen
as
well
as
for
hydrogen
generaKon
from
coal/coke
or
petroleum
pitch.
The
former
requires
research
on
specifically
designed
adsorbents
and
catalysts
to
be
introduced
into
the
reservoir
porous
media
in
nanosized
form.
The
laner
requires
extensive
research
on
both
catalyKc
acKve
phases
and
process
setup
as
well
as
adopKng
different
catalyKc
forms
for
effecKve
contact
with
the
gasifying
materials.
This
research
has
the
potenKal
to
generate
significant
technology
to
convert
bitumen
and
heavy-­‐oil
reserves
into
products
cost-­‐
effecKvely
.

6. Nanotechnology
research.
There
is
a
need
to
coordinate
research
aimed
at
improving
oil
and
gas
recovery.
At
present,
only
about
40%
of
the
oil
and
gas
in
reservoirs
can
be
recovered,
even
with
the
most
advanced
recovery
techniques
now
available.
Goal
is
to
get
scienKsts
and
nano
technologists
together
to
find
a
soluKon.
Nanotechnology
research
should
assist
exploraKon
of
oil
and
gas
reservoirs
that
could
potenKally
unleash
more
oil
than
the
current
technology
being
used
in
primary,
secondary,
and
even
in
some
cases,
terKary
recovery
methods.
At
present,
the
only
way
to
study
hydrocarbon
reservoirs
is
through
seismic
techniques
and
by
actually
drilling
down.
Both
surface
and
downhole
seismic
have
limited
resoluKon,
while
drilling
can
only
take
readings
in
a
limited
area
around
the
bore
hole.
ExisKng
mature
fields,
and
exploraKon
companies
must
find
new
ways
to
extract
more
oil
and
gas
to
meet
ever-­‐increasing
global
demands.
There
is
a
need
for
new
technologies
that
will
enhance
producKon
yet
be
more
environmentally
friendly.
Bring
together
researchers
from
oil
and
gas
companies
as
well
as
academic
insKtuKons
and
other
organizaKons
to
pool
research
in
much
the
same
way
that
oil
companies
collaborated
on
offshore
technologies
in
the
early
days
of
offshore
exploraKon.
Oil
and
gas
companies
should
enter
into
partnerships
with
nanomaterial
developers
at
an
early
stage.
Both
sides
need
to
accept
that
some
necessary
investment
risk
must
be
taken
to
bring
nanomaterials
into
the
market.
There
are
numerous
areas
in
which
nanotechnology
can
contribute
to
more-­‐efficient,
less-­‐expensive,
and
more-­‐environmentally
sound
technologies
than
those
that
are
readily
available.
Although
the
most
significant
contribuKons
may
be
unglamorous
applicaKons
such
as
bener
materials
for
exploraKon
equipment
or
improved
catalysis,
nanotechnology
is
being
proposed
in
numerous
energy
domains.
Considering
the
substanKal
budgets
for
research
dedicated
to
nanoresearch,
much
of
this
potenKal
is
likely
to
be
realized
in
the
coming
decades.

7. Present
methodologies
At
present,
the
only
way
to
study
hydrocarbon
reservoirs
is
through
seismic
techniques
and
by
actually
drilling
down.
Both
surface
and
down
hole
seismic
have
limited
resoluKon,
while
drilling
can
only
take
readings
in
a
limited
area
around
the
bore
hole.
As
exisKng
fields
mature,
exploraKon
companies
must
find
new
ways
to
extract
more
oil
and
gas
to
meet
ever-­‐
increasing
global
demands.
There
is
a
need
to
bring
together
researchers
from
all
oil
and
gas
companies
as
well
as
academic
insKtuKons
and
other
organizaKons
to
pool
research
in
much
the
same
way
that
oil
companies
collaborated
on
offshore
technologies
in
the
early
days
of
offshore
exploraKon.

8. Possible
Nanotechnology
methodologies
within
Oil
and
Gas
Industry
• Nanotechnology-­‐enhanced
materials
that
provide
strength
and
endurance
to
increase
performance
and
reliability
in
drilling,
tubular
goods,
and
rotaKng
parts.
• Improved
elastomers,
criKcal
to
deep
drilling
and
to
improve
drilling
in
high-­‐
temperature/high-­‐pressure
environments.
• Designer
properKes
to
enhance
hydro-­‐phobic
or
hydrophilic
behavior,
to
enhance
materials
for
waterflood
applicaKons.
• NanoparKculate
werng
carried
out
using
molecular
dynamics,
which
shows
promise
in
solvents
for
heterogeneous
surfaces
and
porous
solids.
•
• Lightweight,
rugged
materials
that
reduce
weight
requirements
on
offshore
plakorms,
and
more-­‐reliable
and
more-­‐
energy-­‐efficient
transportaKon
vessels.
• Nanosensors
for
improved
temperature
and
pressure
raKngs
in
deep
wells
and
hosKle
environments.
•
• New
imaging
and
computaKonal
techniques
to
allow
bener
discovery,
sizing,
and
characterizaKon
of
reservoirs.
• Nanosensors
deployed
in
the
pore
space
by
means
of
“nanodust”
to
provide
data
on
reservoir
characterizaKon,
fluid-­‐
flow
monitoring,
and
fluid-­‐type
recogniKon.
• Small
drill-­‐hole
evaluaKon
instruments
to
reduce
drilling
costs
and
to
provide
greater
environmental
sensiKvity
because
of
less
drill
waste.

9. Author:
SKg-­‐Arne
Kristoffersen
is
a
Corporate
exec
with
substanKal
corporate
experience.
SKg-­‐Arne
provide
preempKve
support
in
German
or
English,
with
basic
skill
set
in
Russian.
Kristoffersen
focus
on
Knowledge
Based
InformaKon
processes
and
systems
within
oil
and
gas
industry,
contract
dra^ing,
asset
negoKaKons
within
real
estate
and
energy
sectors.
SKg
Arne
has
a
broad
experience
in
all
aspects
of
Geo-­‐
science,
telecom
and
markeKng/
sales
management.
Direct
experience
with
energy
business,
technical
consulKng
and
venture
capital.
Oil
and
Gas
SKg
has
extensive
experience
in
play
development
and
prospect
generaKon
in
various
basins
globally.
SKg
Arne
has
performed
a
large
variaKon
of
risk
assessment
as
part
of
prospect
maturaKon
with
HI-­‐end
tools
from
various
vendors
including
Petrel
and
SMT.
Energy
SKg
Arne
has
parKcipated
in
mulKple
projects
with
efficient
ExploraKon
and
ProducKon
of
oil
and
gas
resources,
and
experience
in
making
quick
turnaround
from
resource
to
reserves.
UKlizing
acceptable
internaKonal
renown
techniques
to
achieve
the
goal
of
the
projects
are
always
the
goal.
Renewable
Energy
SKg
Arne
Kristoffersen
has
insight
into
geothermal,
solar
power
and
wind
energy
usage
within
residenKal
as
well
as
commercial
aspects.
SKg
focus
on
networking
within
the
sphere
of
alternaKve
energy
forums
around
the
world
in
order
to
uKlize
latest
innovaKons
for
various
projects.
Focus
on
alternaKve
energy
usage
within
bio
fuel,
solar
energy
and
geothermal
energy
forms
www.valioso.rocks