260
R. Sandeep et al.
limitations (Sun et al. 2017). Also, NPs are environmental-friendly, such as silica
nanoparticles that has been reported in many field trials. Silica is a component of
sandstone and therefore the process is cheaper.
There are immense literatures about the applications of different types of nanoparticles in medical and biological applications. The use of nanoparticles is now advancing to different areas as well. The current trends show the nanoparticles are gaining
applications in the oil field processes. But a lot of principles and techniques go into the
oil field processes and require modification of existing nanotechnology suitable for
unique nature of the reservoirs. Many different nanoparticles have been synthesized
for these purposes with a large number of field trials as well. This chapter identifies such potentials of the nanoparticles as well as their characteristics responsible
for EOR. Additionally, the use of nickel nanoparticle for increasing the recovery
potential of polymer flooding has been mentioned as an example for novel EOR
method.
2 Research on Nanotechnology Application
in the Petroleum Industry
Nano-sized materials have revolutionized the petroleum industry in processes both
upstream and downstream, starting from the exploration, drilling, and leading to the
production of crude, and processes involved in improving the existing technologies,
that is, EOR, as well as for the refinery processes.
2.1 Nanotechnology in Exploration Industry
The rising demands for energy have now raised the needs for exploration of hydrocarbons in more challenging reservoirs, and further development of new technologies
for use has been proposed. Therefore, the use of techniques which are more economical and sustainable and employing methods that are more technically advanced than
conventional approaches are highly encouraged. Nanotechnology provides a solution
to such problems with the development of “nanosensors” which are in the pace of
development for geo-exploration by seismic characterization, data interpretation and
formations evaluations characterized by conditions prevailing in oil-bearing strata
(Bera and Belhaj 2016).
When NPs are injected into the reservoir, few of them passes through the pores in
the reservoir rocks, while others get adsorbed onto the surface. The information of the
physical properties of the rock and 3D spatial arrangement of the formation can be
derived from the analysis of these adsorbed NPs (Kapusta et al. 2011). Furthermore,
the core and surface characteristics of NPs can be modified bringing about significant
changes in the various properties of the NPs. These optical, magnetic and electrical
R. Sandeep et al.
limitations (Sun et al. 2017). Also, NPs are environmental-friendly, such as silica
nanoparticles that has been reported in many field trials. Silica is a component of
sandstone and therefore the process is cheaper.
There are immense literatures about the applications of different types of nanoparticles in medical and biological applications. The use of nanoparticles is now advancing to different areas as well. The current trends show the nanoparticles are gaining
applications in the oil field processes. But a lot of principles and techniques go into the
oil field processes and require modification of existing nanotechnology suitable for
unique nature of the reservoirs. Many different nanoparticles have been synthesized
for these purposes with a large number of field trials as well. This chapter identifies such potentials of the nanoparticles as well as their characteristics responsible
for EOR. Additionally, the use of nickel nanoparticle for increasing the recovery
potential of polymer flooding has been mentioned as an example for novel EOR
method.
2 Research on Nanotechnology Application
in the Petroleum Industry
Nano-sized materials have revolutionized the petroleum industry in processes both
upstream and downstream, starting from the exploration, drilling, and leading to the
production of crude, and processes involved in improving the existing technologies,
that is, EOR, as well as for the refinery processes.
2.1 Nanotechnology in Exploration Industry
The rising demands for energy have now raised the needs for exploration of hydrocarbons in more challenging reservoirs, and further development of new technologies
for use has been proposed. Therefore, the use of techniques which are more economical and sustainable and employing methods that are more technically advanced than
conventional approaches are highly encouraged. Nanotechnology provides a solution
to such problems with the development of “nanosensors” which are in the pace of
development for geo-exploration by seismic characterization, data interpretation and
formations evaluations characterized by conditions prevailing in oil-bearing strata
(Bera and Belhaj 2016).
When NPs are injected into the reservoir, few of them passes through the pores in
the reservoir rocks, while others get adsorbed onto the surface. The information of the
physical properties of the rock and 3D spatial arrangement of the formation can be
derived from the analysis of these adsorbed NPs (Kapusta et al. 2011). Furthermore,
the core and surface characteristics of NPs can be modified bringing about significant
changes in the various properties of the NPs. These optical, magnetic and electrical