Application of Nanoparticles-Based Technologies in the Oil and Gas Industry

The demand for energy is inclined toward staggering heights worldwide and is proportional to the requirements of crude oil for satisfying energy needs. Globally, pollution has created a menace in each and every portion of the society we look at. Therefore, much of the today’s technology is focused on making the process much economical and sustainable, thereby lowering pressures on environment. Nanotechnology has provided options to enhance such possibilities by contributing to more economical, highly efficient and sustainable approaches with environmentally favored technologies than those conventionally available. This chapter addresses such roles of nanotechnology in different jobs played around the oil and gas industry, such as exploration industry, drilling and production, refining and processing, and in enhanced oil recovery. Besides, the different types of nanomaterials such as nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, nanosensors and nanofluids available for these applications have been discussed. Moreover, the mechanisms which reflect the activity of these nanomaterials have been explained individually. The chapter discusses how nanotechnology-based technologies can achieve more efficient, effective and potential impact in the oil and gas industry.