Could Nanotechology Fuel Future Oil and Gas Development?

A panel discussion at the CERA Week energy conference in Houston today focused on the role of technology in oil and gas exploration and production.

Amin Nasser, senior vice president, upstream, for Saudi Aramco discussed the potential nanotechnology could hold in the industry.

What was once a "blue-sky" prospect, nanotechnology could be used for various applications including oil production and reservoir sensing capabilities, Nasser said.

The Saudi state oil giant is conducting field trials that Nasser says has so far been successful.

The company is experimenting with passive nanoparticles that can be injected into the water and receive oil. Smart or sensing nanonparticles are also being tested to provide information about reservoir properties.

Another type of nanotechnology the company is experimenting with has reactive qualities with rocks.