Journal of Nanomedicine & Nanotechnology

The physiochemical effects on hydrocarbons in a subterranean formation

26^th International Conference on NANOMATERIALS

December 05-06, 2022 | Dubai, UAE

Len Bland, Jeff Hardin and Al Darzins

Nano Gas Environmental, USA

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Nanomed Nanotechnol

Abstract:

Oil and gas exploration and production companies recover only a portion of the oil in the formation using primary recovery methods (formation pressure), secondary, and tertiary methods (water flooding, solvents, surfactants, and other chemicals). Some of the oil in the formation may be trapped within the pores of the formation by the capillary action of water or by attraction to the geology. As a result, a significant quantity of oil located in portions of the formation may be left behind. Nanobubble dispersions of spherical gas-filled cavities (i.e. containing nitrogen, methane or carbon dioxide) of sizes between 10-500 nanometers have been shown to have special properties for extracting hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation. Due to their small size, nanobubbles have no appreciable rise rate and stay in suspension. The strong negative charge on nanobubbles causes bubble- to-bubble repulsion which prevents coalescence into larger bubbles. As a result, nanobubbles have the ability to change the ionic, electro and zeta potential of a fluid. In downhole applications, the nanobubbles are small enough to enter the interstitial and pore spaces in the subterranean geology. The nanobubbles within these spaces will reduce the capillary pressures thus releasing the oil from the pores. Furthermore, the nanobubble dispersion mixes with the hydrocarbons released from the formation, forming a lightened oil that has a reduced viscosity and/or density thereby enhancing oil recovery. Use of nanobubbles in a shallow oil well delivered one month worth of production in the first five days. Oil production continued above normal for sixty days, doubling the production of the well in that time.
Recent Publications :
1. Audrey Beattie, Wim Vermaas, Al Darzins, Steven C. Holland, Shuqin Li, John McGowen, David Nielsen, Jason C. Quinn, (2021). A probabilistic economic and environmental impact assessment of a cyanobacteria-based biorefinery, Algal Research Volume 59, 102454, ISSN 2211-9264.

Biography :

Len Bland is CEO of Nano Gas Environmental. He loves providing insight that leads to entrepreneurial growth, putting together teams of people to accomplish goals, and exploring technology with experts. He was the 2014 Mentor of the Year in Cleantech Open Midwest Region. He earned his MBA at Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management, and his Bachelors from the University of Illinois.