Scientists have created oil production technology using heavy-duty nanofibers

Specialists managed to obtain a solution for drilling oil and gas wells in permafrost, which reduces the coefficient of friction, environmental damage and equipment wear.

Employees of the Siberian Federal University have created a technology that will increase the efficiency of drilling wells in the Arctic. We are talking about the use of nanofibers added to the drilling solution to improve its quality, the SFU said.

The fact is that the development of oil and gas fields in the Arctic and adjacent territories is complicated by the climate and special mining and geological conditions. The need for new technological solutions became the basis for the research of Siberian scientists.

The aqueous solutions used “on the mainland” when drilling most wells do not satisfy specialists working in permafrost. Too much fluid is lost in the process. In addition, the borehole thaws from the water, and it quickly collapses. Hydrocarbon-based solutions have proven themselves much better there.

It was in such a solution that scientists added aluminum oxide nanofibers. They are a new generation crystalline material, unique due to ultra-high mechanical strength and several other qualities. Even a small number of fibers significantly increases the stability of solutions and drilling efficiency.

Tests have shown that, at a certain concentration, nanofibers facilitate rock pumping during drilling, reduce friction and more than halve solution losses.

Return to news