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A comprehensive study on applications of nanomaterials in petroleum upstream and downstream industry

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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.

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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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Energy Technology, Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India

    Vraj Shah, Bhavi Panchal, Catherine Gona & Manan Shah

  2. Department of Chemical Engineering, S. S Agrawal Institute of Engineering & Technology, Navsari, Gujarat, India

    Mitul Prajapati

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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.

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Correspondence to Manan Shah.

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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

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