Industry First Field Trial of Reservoir Nanoagents

Abstract

AbstractThe promise of nanotechnology becomes limitless with the possibility of having functionalized molecular agents to "illuminate" the reservoir and intervene to alter adverse oil recovery conditions. The future reality of the reservoir nanoagents concept is herein lab and field demonstrated with the industry first building block nanoagents' template. The template is intentionally geared towards the harsh but prolific Arab-D carbonate formation of the giant Ghawar field of Saudi Arabia. The challenge is magnified by a condition of 100 °C or greater temperature and 120,000 ppm or more connate water salinity. The industry's first proven reservoir nanoagents template is introduced and demonstrated via a push-pull field trial in an observation well. The testing objectives, processes, and results are outlined and further detailed in the paper.