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R. Sandeep et al.
operational depth, the existing drilling and well stimulation fluids are not stable and
perform poorly. Conventional drilling programs (macro- or micro-material-based)
are partially successful in overcoming such limitations. Besides, drilling industries
require new improved, stable, lightweight, rugged structural materials for a number
of applications (reduced weight of offshore platforms, energy efficient vessels and
better performing drilling parts) (Krishnamoorti 2006).
Currently, nano-based materials which can sustain its intrinsic properties at high
temperatures and pressures, abrasions, corrosiveness and other harsh environmental
conditions are been employed. The drilling mechanical parts, equipments and platforms are coated with such materials composed of NPs for improving their properties.
These coatings provide resistance toward corrosion, wear and abrasions, shock proof,
thermal conduciveness and reduced wetted state. Oil well cements in deep wells also
require materials with good qualities and properties. Silica and Fe 2 O 3 -based NPs are
especially used for this purpose and are widely applied in increasing the strength of
portland and belite cements (Li 2004; Xu et al. 2003).
Besides, custom-made functional nanomaterials have revolutionized the applications of NPs in the field of oil and gas industries. These tailored NPs are manufactured
with custom natures, ionic properties, physical shapes, sizes, charge densities for a
variety of application in drilling and well stimulation-related functions. These fluids
are also known as “smart fluids” which provide additional benefits, such as wettability alteration behavior, drag reduction and consolidated sand binders (Chaudhury
2003; Wasan and Nikolov 2003). These superfine powders and nano-sized particles
improve the drilling process and lower the risk of damage to reservoir rocks. This
further increases the recovery percentage of crude oil (Esmaeili 2011).
2.3 Nanotechnology in Refining and Processing
High sulfur content and increased CO 2 emissions are two of the major problems
faced by the refining and processing industries today. Fuels that are cleaner and
reduce pressure on environment are highly encouraged. Hence, refineries are under
peer pressure to increase their yields while utilizing fewer resources (steel, energy
and CO 2 ). Heavy organic components in the crude oil are yet another limitation. In
order to reduce their energy footprints, the oil refineries are currently working on new
technologies that can reduce the costs while meeting the new emissions standards
laid by various environmental protection agencies.
From the past decade, nanotechnology has made significant contributions to the
refining of crude and conversion of fossil fuels. Nanofilters are developed that significantly changed the downstream refining processes. Mesoporous catalyst (MCM-41)
is one such example. These nano-sized filters and particles help adsorb and remove
harmful toxic substances such as various oxides (nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides)
related acids, anhydrides and mercury from the soil and water (Kong and Ohadi
2010). Furthermore, nanomembranes are been developed that enhance separation of
R. Sandeep et al.
operational depth, the existing drilling and well stimulation fluids are not stable and
perform poorly. Conventional drilling programs (macro- or micro-material-based)
are partially successful in overcoming such limitations. Besides, drilling industries
require new improved, stable, lightweight, rugged structural materials for a number
of applications (reduced weight of offshore platforms, energy efficient vessels and
better performing drilling parts) (Krishnamoorti 2006).
Currently, nano-based materials which can sustain its intrinsic properties at high
temperatures and pressures, abrasions, corrosiveness and other harsh environmental
conditions are been employed. The drilling mechanical parts, equipments and platforms are coated with such materials composed of NPs for improving their properties.
These coatings provide resistance toward corrosion, wear and abrasions, shock proof,
thermal conduciveness and reduced wetted state. Oil well cements in deep wells also
require materials with good qualities and properties. Silica and Fe 2 O 3 -based NPs are
especially used for this purpose and are widely applied in increasing the strength of
portland and belite cements (Li 2004; Xu et al. 2003).
Besides, custom-made functional nanomaterials have revolutionized the applications of NPs in the field of oil and gas industries. These tailored NPs are manufactured
with custom natures, ionic properties, physical shapes, sizes, charge densities for a
variety of application in drilling and well stimulation-related functions. These fluids
are also known as “smart fluids” which provide additional benefits, such as wettability alteration behavior, drag reduction and consolidated sand binders (Chaudhury
2003; Wasan and Nikolov 2003). These superfine powders and nano-sized particles
improve the drilling process and lower the risk of damage to reservoir rocks. This
further increases the recovery percentage of crude oil (Esmaeili 2011).
2.3 Nanotechnology in Refining and Processing
High sulfur content and increased CO 2 emissions are two of the major problems
faced by the refining and processing industries today. Fuels that are cleaner and
reduce pressure on environment are highly encouraged. Hence, refineries are under
peer pressure to increase their yields while utilizing fewer resources (steel, energy
and CO 2 ). Heavy organic components in the crude oil are yet another limitation. In
order to reduce their energy footprints, the oil refineries are currently working on new
technologies that can reduce the costs while meeting the new emissions standards
laid by various environmental protection agencies.
From the past decade, nanotechnology has made significant contributions to the
refining of crude and conversion of fossil fuels. Nanofilters are developed that significantly changed the downstream refining processes. Mesoporous catalyst (MCM-41)
is one such example. These nano-sized filters and particles help adsorb and remove
harmful toxic substances such as various oxides (nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides)
related acids, anhydrides and mercury from the soil and water (Kong and Ohadi
2010). Furthermore, nanomembranes are been developed that enhance separation of