Applications of Nanotechnology in Oil and Gas

Dear Colleagues,

Emerging nanotechnology with EOR techniques has demonstrated its potential in oil activities, that has not yet been fully understood or fully explored. This is evident from the vast body of research over the past decade focusing on oil recovery aided by nanotechnology. In addition to the use of nanotechnology in solving operation chahallenges such as fractururing of conventional and unconventional reservoirs. Breakthroughs in this field have the potential to be a game changer, as nanoparticles (NPs) have the distinct advantages of small size, good mobility and a high specific surface area, which enables their effectiveness at significantly low concentrations. The use of NPs for oil and gas production can be broadly classified into three categories: (1) nanofluids, or colloidal suspensions of NPs dispersed in a base fluid; (2) nano-emulsions, or the use of NPs to stabilize emulsion; and (3) nano-based foams, or gas foams stabilized by NPs. Taken together, these methods have the potential to develop novel, low-impact, in oil and gas operations and production in addition to enhancing oil recovery methods. Applicaion of nano technology has economic potential for eliminating/reducing the frequency of well treatments in case of fine migration.

This Special Issue seeks high quality submissions geared towards advances in the application of nanotechnology for oil and gas production. The scope of the submissions covers (but is not limited to) nanofluids, nano-emulsion, nano-foams, subsurface adsorption and transport of NPs, stabilization and surface functionalization, wettability alteration, interfacial tension reduction, modelling of nano–EOR processes for heavy oil degradation, and synergies between NPs and other EOR techniques such as CO2, low salinity, carbonated water, etc. The Special Issue particularly seeks submissions that focus on shedding light on the underlying mechanisms that govern the added benefits of NPs in oil and gas production and its economic potential.

Prof. Aly Anis Hamouda
Guest Editor

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