Practical Nanotechnology for Petroleum Engineers

Prof. Chun Huh is one of the world’s leading experts on surfactant- and polymer-based enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods. “Chun Huh equation,” which predicts ultralow interfacial tension from microemulsion solubilization, is widely used for the design of surfactant-based EOR processes. He is also the formulator of “Huh-Scriven paradox,” whose resolution is still being proposed by fluid mechanics researchers working on dynamics of wetting. Since joining UT Austin in 2004, Dr. Huh has started research on use of nanoparticles for a variety of upstream oil industry applications. Some of the applications being developed are: use of superparamagnetic nanoparticles (i) for efficient removal of “contaminants” from oilfield produced water, (ii) for improved oil and gas production flow assurance, and (iii) for precision conformance control; and use of silica nanoparticles for EOR mobility control. Prof. Masa Prodanovic, Dept. of Petroleum & Geosystems Engineering, University of Texas at Austin. Prof. Hugh Daigle, Dept. of Petroleum & Geosystems Engineering, University of Texas at Austin. Prof. Valentina Prigiobbe, Dept. of Civil, Environmental & Ocean Engineering, Stevens Inst. of Technology.

1. Introduction. 2. Nanoparticle Synthesis and Surface Coating. 3. Nanoparticles in Fluids. 4. Nanoparticles at Fluid Interfaces. 5. Nanomagnetism. 6. Nanotechnology and the environment. 7. Drilling and Completions. 8. Production Operations and Flow Assurance. 9. Reservoir Sensing. 10. Enhanced Oil Recovery: Foams And Emulsions. 11. Enhanced Oil Recovery: Wettability Alteration And Other Topics. 12. Heavy Oil Recovery. 13. Conclusions and Future Directions.