Abstract
Nanotechnology has emerged as a revolutionary technology that has been applied in the oil and gas industry for over a decade, spanning the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors. Nanotechnology has made significant contributions to the exploration of crude oil and natural gas, both in underground and deep-water environments. It has also played a crucial role in improving the drilling process, enabling the extraction of oil and gas resources from beneath the Earth’s surface. Nanoparticles, with their unique physical and chemical properties, such as high specific surface area, high pore volume, and small size, have demonstrated considerable potential in the oil industry. Extensive research has been conducted to explore various types of nanoparticles for advanced applications, including oil exploration, drilling, production, and enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Moreover, nanomaterials have found applications in downstream and intermediate sectors, such as crude oil refining, natural gas processing, and transportation and storage of petroleum products. Ongoing advancements in nanomaterial synthesis methods, the exploration of new nanomaterial uses, and understanding the remarkable properties of nanomaterials will continue to make them increasingly valuable in the oil and gas sector. The oil and gas industry recognises the potential of nanotechnology and nanoparticles and is investing significantly in research and development in this area. This comprehensive review aims to summarise successful applications of nanotechnology while addressing associated challenges. It serves as a valuable resource for future research and application endeavours in the field, highlighting the potential of nanotechnology in the oil and gas industry.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data availability
All relevant data and material are presented in the main paper.
References
Abdo J, Haneef M (2012) Nano-enhanced drilling fluids: pioneering approach to overcome uncompromising drilling problems. J Energy Resour Technol 134(1):014501
Agista MN, Guo K, Yu Z (2018) A state-of-the-art review of nanoparticles application in petroleum with a focus on enhanced oil recovery. Appl Sci 8(6):871–871. https://doi.org/10.3390/app8060871
Alarawi A, Busaleh A, Saleh TA, Alharbi B (2023) High thermal stability of foams stabilized by graphene oxide and zwitterionic surfactant nanocomposites for fracturing applications. Fuel 332(P2):126156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2022.126156
Alboudwarej H, Felix J, Taylor S, Badry R, Bremner C, Brough B, Sketaes C et al (2006) Highlighting Havy Oil. Oilfield Review 18(2):34–53
Alkenani A, Saleh TA (2022) Synthesis of amine-modified graphene integrated membrane as protocols for simultaneous rejection of hydrocarbons pollutants, metal ions, and salts from water. J Mol Liq 367:120291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2022.120291
Alnarabiji MS, Yahya N, Shafie A, Solemani H, Chandran K, Abd Hamid SB, Azizi K et al (2016) The influence of hydrophobic multiwall carbon nanotubes concentration on enhanced oil recovery. Proc Eng 148:1137–1140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2016.06.564
Alsaba MT, Al Dushaishi MF, Abbas AK (2020) A comprehensive review of nanoparticles applications in the oil and gas industry. J Petroleum Explor Prod Technol 10(4):1389–1399. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13202-019-00825-z
Atashbar MZ, Singamaneni S (2005) Room temperature gas sensor based on metallic nanowires. J Sensor Actuator b Chem 111–112:13–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2005.07.034
Bai B, Rao D, Chang T, Guo Z (2019) A nonlinear attachment-detachment model with adsorption hysteresis for suspension-colloidal transport in porous media. J Hydrol 578:124080. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2019.124080
Bila A, Stensen JA, Torsaeter O (2019) Experimental investigation of polymer-coated silica nanoparticles for enhanced oil recovery. Nanomater 9(6):822. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9060822
Cheng Q, Cao G, Bai Y, Zhu Z, Zhang N,... Li D (2023) Probing the demulsification mechanism of emulsion with SPAN series based on the effect of solid phase particles. Molecules 28(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28073261
Ealia M, Saravanakumar MP (2017) A review on the classification, characterization, synthesis of nanoparticles and their application. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering 263:032019–032019. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899x/263/3/032019
Elhenawy S, Khraisheh M, AlMomani F, Hassan MK, Al-Ghouti MA, Selvaraj R (2021) Recent developments and advancements in graphene-based technologies for oil spill cleanup and oil-water seperation processes. Nanomaterials.
Endo M, Noguchi T, Ito M, Takeuchi K, Hayashi T, Kim YA, Wanibuchi T, Jinnai H, Terrones M, Dresselhaus MS (2008) Extreme-performance rubber nanocomposites for probing and excavating deep oil resources using multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Adv Funct Mater 18(21):3403–3409. https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.200801136
Engeset B (2012) The potential of hydrophilic silica nanoparticles for EOR purpose
Esmaeili A (2009) Applications of nanotechnology in oil and gas industry. Presented at Petrotech 2009 Conference held in New Delhi, India
Fakoya MF, Shah SN (2017) Emergence of nanotechnology in the oil and gas industry: emphasis on the application of silica nanoparticles. J Petroleum 3:391–405
Hassani SS, Daraee M, Sobat Z (2020) Advanced development in upstream of petroleum industry using nanotechnology. Chin J Chem Eng 28(6):1483–1491. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjche.2020.02.030
Hoel A, Reyes LF, Heszler P, Lantto V, Granqvist CG (2004) Nanomaterials for environmental applications: novel WO 3-based gas sensors made by advanced gas deposition. Curr Appl Phys 4:547–553
Inkpen A, Moffett MH (2011) The global oil & gas industry: management, strategy and finance. PennWell Books, LLC, TN
Jamrozik A (2017) Graphene and graphene oxide in the oil and gas industry. AGH Drilling, Oil, Gas, 34
Ke H, Yuan M, Xia S (n.d.) A review of nanomaterials as viscocity reducer for heavy oil. J Dispers Sci Technol 43(9):1271–1282. https://doi.org/10.1080/01932691.2020.1851246
Khalil M, Jan BM, Tong CW, Berawi MA (2017) Advanced nanomaterials in oil and gas industry: design, application and challenges. Appl Energy 191:287–310
Khalil M, Amanda A, Yunarti RT, Jan BM, Irawan S (2020) Synthesis and application of mesoporous silica nanoparticles as gas migration control additive in oil and gas cement. J Pet Sci Eng 195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2020.107660
Khan I (2017) Shape efects of MoS2 nanoparticles on MHD slip fow of molybdenum disulphide nanofuid in a porous medium. J Mol Liq 1(233):442–451
Khan FA (2020) Nanomaterials: types, classifications, and sources. In: Khan FA (ed.), Applications of Nanomaterials in Human Health
Khoramian R, Ramazani SAA, Hekmatzadeh M, Kharrat R, Asadian E (2019) Graphene oxide nanosheets for oil recovery. Appl Nano Mater 2(9):5730–5742. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsanm.9b01215
Kim HC, Fthenakis V (2012) Life Cycle energy and climate change implications of nanotechnologies. J Ind Ecol 17(4):528–541. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1530-9290.2012.00538.x
Lau HC, Yu M, Nguyen QP (2017) Nanotechnology for oilfield applications: challenges and impact. J Pet Sci Eng 157:1160–1169
Li Q, Lu L, Zhao Q, Hu S (2023) Impact of inorganic solutes’ release in groundwater during oil shale in situ exploitation. Water 15(1):172. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15010172
Liu F, Darjani S, Akhmetkhanova N, Maldarelli C, Banerjee S, Pauchard V (2017) Mixture effect on the dilatation rheology of Asphaltenes-Laden interfaces. Langmuir 33(8):1927–1942
Luo D, Wang F, Zhu J, Tang L, Zhu Z, Bao J, Willson RC, Yang Z, Ren Z (2017) Secondary oil recovery using graphene-based amphiphilic janus nanosheet fluid at an ultralow concentration. Ind Eng Chem Res 56(39):11125–1113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2020.114519
Maagi MT, Lupyana SD, Jun G (2020) Nanotechnology in the petroleum industry: Focus on the use of nanosilica in oil-well cementing application- a review. J Pet Sci Eng 193:107397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2020.107397
Mokhatab S, Poe WA (2012) Handbook of natural gas transmission and processing. Gulf Professional Publishing, Waltham, MA
Mokhatab S, Fresky MA, Islam MR (2006) Applications of nanotechnology in oil and gas E&P. J Pet Technol Online 58:48
Namin AR, Rashidi A, Gharesheikhlou AA, Ghasemy E, Jalilian M (2019) Experimental application of functionalized N-doped graphene for improving enhanced oil recovery. Colloids and Surfaces A 581:123801. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2019.123801
Neuberger N, Adidharma H, Fan M (2018) Graphene: a review of applications in the petroleum industry 167:152–159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2018.04.016
Nur MM, Saleh TA (2022) Melamine-modified polyacrylic grafted on activated carbon and its efficiency for shale inhibition. Upstream Oil Gas Technol 8(January):100065. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.upstre.2022.100065
Park YC, Paulsen J, Nap RJ, Whitaker RD, Mathiyazhagan V (2014) Adsorption of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles on silica and calcium carbonate sand. J ACS 30(3):784–792
Radhamani AV, Lau Hon Chung, Ramakrishna S (2018) ‘CNT-reinforced metal and steel nanocomposites: a comprehensive assessment of progress and future directions. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing 114:170–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2018.08.010
Rana A, Khan I, Saleh A (2021) Advances in carbon nanostructures and nanocellulose as additives for efficient drilling fluids: trends and future perspective—a review. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.0c04341
Rodriguez E, Robert RM, Yu H, Huh C, Bryant SL (2009) Enhanced migration of surface - treated n nanoparticles in sedimentary rocks, Society of Petroleum Engineers, Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Orleans, Louisiana, USA, SPE(124418)
Roustaei A, Moghadasi J, Iran A, Bagherzadeh H, Shahrabadi A (2012) An experimental investigation of polysilicon nanoparticles’ recovery efficiencies through changes in interfacial tension and wettibility alteration. SPE
SadeghHassani S, Amrollahi A, Rashidi AM, Soleymani M, Rayatdoost S (2016) The effect of naonparticles on the heat transfer properties of drilling fluids. J Petroleum Sci Eng 146:183–190
Saleh TA (2020) Nanomaterials: classification, properties, and environmental toxicities. Environ Technol Innov. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2020.101067
Saleh TA (2022) Advanced trends of shale inhibitors for enhanced properties of water-based drilling fluid. Upstream Oil Gas Technol 8(January 2021):100069
Saleh TA, Al-Hammadi SA (2018) Insights into the fundamentals and principles of the oil and gas industry: the impact of nanotechnology, in nanotechnology in oil and gas industries. Topics Mining, Metallurgy Mater Eng Springer Cham 1–35
Samsuri A, Hamzah A (2011) Water based mud lifting capacity improvement by multiwall carbon nanotubes additive 99–107
Sikiru S, Rostami A, Soleimani H, Yahya N, Afeez Y, Aliu O, Yusuf JY, Oladosu TL (2020) Graphene: outlook in the enhance oil recovery (EOR). J Mol Liq 321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2020.114519
Sircar A, Rayavarapu K, Bist N, Yadav K, Singh S (2021) Applications of nanoparticles in enhanced oil recovery. Petroleum Research 7(1):77–90
Soleimani H, Baig MK, Yahya N, Khodapanah L, Sabet M, Demiral BM, Burda M et al (2018) Impact of carbon nanotubes based nanofluid on oil recovery efficiency using core flooding. Results in Physics 9:39–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rinp.2018.01.072
Subrati A, Mondal S, Ali M, Alhindi A, Ghazi R, Abdala A, . . . Alhassan S (2017) Developing hydrophobic graphene foam for oil spill cleanup. Indust Eng Chem Res 56(24):6945–6951
Sun L, Liang T, Zhang C, Chen J (2023) The rheological performance of shear-thickening fluids based on carbon fiber and silica nanocomposite. Phys Fluids 35(3):32002. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0138294
Swaminathan P, Nagarajan R, Jitendra S (2013) Applications of nanotechnology for upstream oil and gas industry. J Nano Research 24:7–15
Tajik S, Shahrabadi A, Rashidi A, Jalilian M, Yadegari A (2018) Application offunctionalized silica-graphene nanohybrid for the enhanced oil recovery performance. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochem Eng Aspects 556:253–265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2018.08.029
Vassiliou MS (2018) Historical dictionary of the petroleum industry. Rowman & Littlefield, Eashington, DC
Yang L, Wang H, Xu H, Guo D, Li M (2023) Experimental study on characteristics of water imbibition and ion diffusion in shale reservoirs. Geoenergy Sci Eng 229:212167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoen.2023.212167
Zhe Z, Yuxiu A (2018) Nanotechnology for oil and gas industry – an overview of recent progress. https://doi.org/10.1515/ntrev-2018-0061
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the Department of Chemical Engineering School of Energy Technology, Pandit Deendayal Energy University, and the Department of Chemical Engineering, S.S. Agrawal Institute of Engineering & Technology for the permission to publish this research.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
All the authors make substantial contribution in this manuscript. VS, BP, CG, MS and MP participated in drafting the manuscript. VS, BP, CG and MS wrote the main manuscript; all the authors discussed the results and implication on the manuscript at all stages.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Ethics approval and consent to participate
Not applicable.
Consent for publication
Not applicable.
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Responsible Editor: Philippe Garrigues
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Shah, V., Panchal, B., Gona, C. et al. A comprehensive study on applications of nanomaterials in petroleum upstream and downstream industry. Environ Sci Pollut Res 31, 14406–14423 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-31569-3
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-31569-3