Steven L. Bryant (steven_bryant@mail.utexas.edu) is the Program Manager of the Nanoparticle Engineering for Subsurface Processes research program.
Nanotechnology continues to develop rapidly, driven by several different industries. The main objectives of this program are (i) to introduce recent and emerging developments into the oil industry; (ii) to identify applications that could bring significant benefits to the upstream oil operations and oil recovery; and (iii) to carry out research that would enable the practical implementation of these technologies within the oil industry. Our current focus is on the use of various nano-scale materials ("nanoparticles") for certain processes that increase oil recovery and for more accurate determination of changes in fluid saturations and reservoir properties during oil and gas production.
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Research Projects
Use of Engineered Nanoparticle-Stabilized CO2 Foams To Improve Volumetric Sweep of CO2 EOR Processes - PI: Steven L. Bryant; Co-PIs: Chun Huh and Keith P. Johnston (ChE)
Funding source: US Department of Energy (DOE)
Funding amount: $1.2M over a 3-year period
Although enhanced oil recovery (EOR) with CO2 is practiced domestically on large scale, the potential for advancement is enormous. The single greatest obstacle to fully realizing that potential is the inherently poor volumetric sweep efficiency of the process. The overall objective of this project is to develop a new CO2-injection EOR process using engineered nanoparticles. The process will have better volumetric sweep efficiency and a wider application range than the conventional CO2 process. The objectives of the research tasks are (i) to identify the characteristics of the optimal nanoparticles that generate extremely stable CO2 foams in situ in the reservoir in regions without oil; (ii) to develop a novel method of mobility control using the "self-guiding" foams with smart nanoparticles, so that the volumetric sweep efficiency of CO2 flooding could be significantly improved, especially in naturally fractured carbonate reservoirs; and (iii) to extend the applicability of the new method to reservoirs with a wide range of salinity, temperature and heterogeneity. Characterization of Functionalized Nanoparticle Transport in Flow Through Permeable Media - Quoc P. Nguyen, Larry W. Lake, and Caetano R. Miranda (Kyoto University)
Funding source: Advanced Energy Consortium (AEC)
Funding amount: $592,000 for the period of March 2009 - Sept. 2012
Nanoparticles offer a way of controlling oil recovery processes that is unmatched by any current or previous technology. They also offer a means of interrogating small-scale physics that is also unparalleled by prior work. In the recovery of hydrocarbon, the success of nanoparticles depends on the ability to put them in the right place in a reservoir and to be sure that they transport effectively. Emplacement and transport of nanoparticles through permeable media are the subject of this work. The hypothesis is that nanoparticles can be made to flow through permeable media and that these flows can improve oil recovery. The testing step involves making fundamental measurements on the stability of nanoparticle dispersions, many treated to alter the wetting state of phases, the effect of these dispersions have on conventional measurements of the wetting state of fluids with polished surfaces, and finally the transport of dispersions through permeable media. The testing part lies in a concurrent theoretical program that ranges in scale from first principles and molecular dynamic simulation, to modeling of surface potentials, to larger-scale modeling of flow through permeable cores. Determination of Oil Saturation in Reservoir Rock Using Paramagnetic Nanoparticles and Magnetic Field - Chun Huh, Steven L. Bryant, Keith P. Johnston (ChE), Thomas E. Milner (BME)
Funding source: Advanced Energy Consortium (AEC)
Funding amount: $200k per year
Accurate, non-invasive determination of oil saturation distribution in laboratory cores, near-wellbore zones, and deep in the reservoir, will greatly improve understanding of oil displacement mechanisms for various EOR processes, and also help identify the location of bypassed oils so that they can be subsequently recovered. We attempt to utilize the concept of enhancing MRI imaging with use of paramagnetic nanoparticles, for accurate determination of oil saturation. The key to our proposed method is that the detection of the oil/water menisci in reservoir rock means presence of oil. By injecting paramagnetic nanoparticles that adsorb preferentially on the oil/water interface (meniscus), and by detecting the acoustic wave generated by their oscillation, their presence in the reservoir rock is deduced. 
The first step for the implementation of the idea is the application of a surface coating to nanoparticles such that once they contact oil in the reservoir rock, they are adsorbed at the oil/water interface. We then apply magnetic field oscillation so that the oil/water menisci at the rock pores oscillate, and thereby generate an acoustic response (a pressure wave), which can be measured with a sensitive geophone. Different components of the project are being carried out by researchers in Petroleum & Geosystems Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering. The research team:
![[Research Team]](img/det_team.jpg)
Haiyang Yup, Prof. Tom Milnerb, SeungYup Ryoob, Prof. Keith Johnstonc,
Dr. Masha Prodanovicp, Prof. Steve Bryantp, Amir Rahmanip, Prof. Chun Huhp,
Ki Youl Yoonc, Dr. Csaba Kotsmarc, Yunshen Chenc
[pPetroleum & Geosystems Engineering; cChemical Engineering; bBiomedical Engineering]Controls on Transport of Nanostructures in Sedimentary Rocks - Steven L. Bryant, Keith P. Johnston (ChE)
Funding source: Advanced Energy Consortium (AEC)
Funding amount: $175K per year
This project seeks to establish the characteristics of nanoparticles that allow them to be transported arbitrarily far into a sedimentary rock containing two (or more) immiscible fluids. The goal is to support a primary objective of the AEC, namely, to develop sensors to illuminate hydrocarbon reservoirs. Nanostructures that migrate with injected fluids into the formation might be able to play this role -- but only if they can propagate tens to hundreds of meters through carbonate and sandstone rocks that contain aqueous and hydrocarbon phases.
To accomplish this objective we propose a two-scale study: experiments on transport in mesoporous thin films (pores 10 to 1000 nm), and core scale experiments on transport through sandpacks and samples of sedimentary rocks (pores 1 to 10 microns). The former will elucidate fundamental mechanisms of particle attachment as a function of particle surface characteristics and pore geometry. The latter will include injection of single-phase suspensions of nanoparticles and injection of nanoparticles in two-phase emulsions, the particles being held at droplet interfaces or as a suspension within droplets. By varying the surface characteristics of the particles and of the porous materials, we will determine the controls on retention. The results will be useful in preparing specifications of desirable properties for particles and structures intended for use within a hydrocarbon reservoir.
White paper on Nano-materials Needs for Oil Industry - Rod Ewing (U. Michigan), Chun Huh
Funding source: Advanced Energy Consortium (AEC)
Funding amount: $60K
The objective of this small project is to carry out a literature survey on nanotechnology to identify potential applications that will benefit upstream oil operations and oil recovery. Published papers and patents on nanotechnology areas such as nano-composites, nano-fluids, nanoparticle-stabilized emulsions/foams, smart coatings, nano-filtration, nano-sensors, and nano-catalysts are being reviewed.
White paper on Nano Dispersion Transport in Reservoir Rock - Howard Schmidt (Rice), Andrew Barron (Rice), Chun Huh, Steven L. Bryant
Funding source: Advanced Energy Consortium (AEC)
Funding amount: $30K
The invention and deployment of engineered nano objects and devices could significantly improve recovery of oil from reservoirs. A crucial prerequisite for most applications, particularly those associated with advanced sensing or "illuminating the reservoir," is that the nanoparticles be able to migrate arbitrarily far through the pores of sedimentary rock. The objective of this small project is to carry out a literature survey on the transport of nanoparticles in porous media, to identify requirements for their effective transport in reservoir rocks.
Evaluation of Nanoparticle-Stabilized Emulsions For Improved Oil Recovery - Steven L. Bryant
Funding source: Amercian Chemical Society/Petroleum Research Fund (ACS/PRF)
Funding amount: $100K
The rationale for this project is the possibility of overcoming a long-standing limitation on improved oil recovery. The viscosity of a fluid injected to displace oil, such as water, CO2 or surfactant solution, is often smaller than the viscosity of the oil. In this situation, increasing the viscosity of the injected fluid significantly increases the recovery efficiency. Emulsification is one way to increase viscosity, but many current methods to stabilize emulsions are expensive or poorly suited to large-scale application. Stabilization with surface-modified nanoparticles could overcome these problems.
The scientific objectives of this project are to establish the thermal stability of a class of nanoparticle-stabilized emulsions; to characterize the rheology of such emulsions; and to determine how such emulsions propagate through sedimentary rocks, with and without oil in the pore space.
Nanoparticles for Viscous Oil Recovery - Kishore Mohanty
Funding source: Department of Energy (NETL)
Funding amount: $100K
The North Slope of Alaska has large deposits of viscous oil in Ugnu, West Sak and Shraeder Bluff reservoirs. The proximity to the permafrost is an issue for thermal methods; thus nonthermal methods must be considered. The objective of this proposal is to identify chemical methods for viscous oil recovery. In some rocks, oil gets trapped in larger pores. Nanoparticles can be injected to plug smaller pores and redirect fluid into larger pores, possibly recovering oil without significant drop in permeability. This hypothesis would be tested in this research.
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Related Publications
The following is a list of recent UT publications on nanotechnology applications to subsurface engineering.
- Sensoy, T., Chenevert, M. and Sharma, M. "Minimizing water invasion in shales using nanoparticles," SPE 124429, presented at SPE Annual Tech. Conf., New Orleans, LA., Oct. 5-7, 2009.
- Zhang, T., Roberts, M., Bryant, S.L., and Huh, C., "Foams and Emulsions Stabilized with Nanoparticles for Potential Conformance Control Applications," SPE Paper 121744, presented at SPE Intern. Symp. Oilfield Chemistry, Woodlands, TX., Apr. 20-22, 2009.
- Rodriguez, E., Roberts, M., Yu, H., Huh, C., and Bryant, S.L., "Enhanced Migration of Surface-Treated Nanoparticles in Sedimentary Rocks," SPE Paper 124418, presented at SPE Annual Tech. Conf., New Orleans, LA., Oct. 5-7, 2009.
- Prodanovic, M., Ryoo, S., Rahmani, A.R., Kuranov, R., Kotsmar, C., Milner, T.E., Johnston, K.P., Bryant, S.L., and Huh, C., "Effects of Magnetic Field on the Motion of Multiphase Fluids Containing Paramagnetic Particles in Porous Media," SPE Paper 129850, presented at SPE/DOE Symp. Improved Oil Recovery, Tulsa, OK., Apr. 26-28, 2010.
- Zhang, T., Davidson, D., Bryant, S.L., and Huh, C., "Nanoparticle-Stabilized Emulsions for Applications in Enhanced Oil Recovery," SPE Paper 129885, presented at SPE/DOE Symp. Improved Oil Recovery, Tulsa, OK., Apr. 26-28, 2010.
- Rodriguez-Pin, Elena. "Grain-Scale Mechanisms of Particle Retention in Saturated and Unsaturated Granular Materials." PhD dissertation. 2010.
- Caldelas, Federico. "Experimental Parameter Analysis of Nanoparticle Retention in Porous Media." MS Thesis. 2010.
- Espinosa, D.A., Caldelas, F.M., Johnston, K.P., Bryant, S.L., and Huh, C., "Nanoparticle-Stabilized Supercritical CO2 Foams for Potential Mobility Control Applications," SPE Paper 129925, presented at SPE/DOE Symp. Improved Oil Recovery, Tulsa, OK., Apr. 26-28, 2010.
- Ryoo, S., Rahmani, A.R., Yoon, K.Y., Prodanovic, M., Kotsmar, C., Milner, T.E., Johnston, K.P., Bryant, S.L., and Huh, C., "Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of the Motion of Multiphase Fluids Containing Paramagnetic Nanoparticles in Porous Media," SPE Paper 134879, presented at SPE Annual Tech. Conf., Florence, Italy, Sept. 19-22, 2010.
- Makimura, D., Metin, C., Kabashima, T., Matsuoka, T., Nguyen, Q.P., Miranda, Caetano R., "Combined modeling and experimental studies of hydroxylated silica nanoparticles," J. Materials Science 45(18):5084-5088, 2010.
- Ingram, D.R., Kotsmar, C., Yoon, K.., Shao, S., Huh, C., Bryant, S.L., Milner, T.E., and Johnston, K.P., "Superparamagnetic Nanoclusters Coated with Oleic Acid Bilayers for Stabilization of Emulsions of Water and Oil at Low Concentration," J. Colloid Interface Sci., 351, 225-232, 2010.
- Kotsmar, C., Yoon, K.Y., Yu, H., Ryoo, S., Barth, J., Shao, S., Milner, T.E., Bryant, S.L., Huh, C., and Johnston, K.P., "Stable Citrate Coated Iron Oxide Superparamagnetic Nanoclusters at High Salinity," Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 49, 12435-12443, 2010.
- Yu, H., Kotsmar, C., Yoon, K.Y., Ingram, D., Johnston, K.P., Bryant, S.L., and Huh, C., "Mobility and Retention of Aqueous Dispersions of Paramagnetic Nanoparticles in Reservoir Rocks," SPE Paper 129887, presented at SPE/DOE Symp. Improved Oil Recovery, Tulsa, OK., Apr. 26-28, 2010; Invited for presentation as a "Best of Tulsa" paper at 16th European Symp. Improved Oil Recovery, Cambridge, UK, Apr. 12-14, 2011.
- Yoon, K.Y., Kotsmar, C., Ingram, D.R., Huh, C., Bryant, S.L., Milner, T.E., and Johnston, K.P., "Stable Cross-linked Polyacrylic Acid Coatings on Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoclusters," Langmuir, Volume 27, Number 17, 10962-10969. DOI: 10.1021/la2006327, 2011.
- Caldelas, F.M., Murphy, M.J., Huh, C., and Bryant, S.L., "Factors Governing Distance of Nanoparticle Propagation in Porous Media," SPE Paper 142305, presented at SPE Prod. Oper. Symp., Oklahoma City, OK., Mar. 27-29, 2011.
- Roberts, Matt. "Shear-Induced Emulsions Stabilized with Surface-Modified Silica Nanoparticles," MS Thesis, The University of Texas at Austin, 2011.
- Espinosa, David. "Nanoparticle-Stabilized Supercritical CO2 Foams for Potential Mobility Control Applications," MS Thesis, The University of Texas at Austin, 2011.
- Zhang, T., Espinosa, D.A., Yoon, K.Y., Rahmani, A.R., Yu, H., Caldelas, F.M., Ryoo, S., Roberts, M., Prodanovic, M., Johnston, K.P., Milner, T.E., Bryant, S.L., and Huh, C., "Engineered Nanoparticles as Harsh-Condition Emulsion and Foam Stabilizers and as Novel Sensors," OTC Paper 21212, presented at Offshore Tech. Conf., Houston, TX., May 2-5, 2011.
- Metin, C.O., Lake, L.W., Miranda, C.R., Nguyen, Q.P., "Stability of aqueous silica nanoparticle dispersions," Journal of Nanoparticle Research 13(2): 839-850, 2011
- Ryoo, S., Rahmani, A.R., Yoon, K.Y., Prodanovic, M., Kotsmar, C., Milner, T.E., Johnston, K.P., Bryant, S.L. and Huh, C. "Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of the Motion of Multiphase Fluids Containing Paramagnetic Nanoparticles in Porous Media," accpeted for publication, J. of Pet. Sci. and Eng., Aug. 2011.
- Aminzadeh, B., Roberts, M., Bryant, S., DiCarlo, D., and Huh, C. "Mobility control through spontaneous formation of nanoparticle stabilized emulsions," submitted to Geophysical Research Letters, 2011.
- Rahmani, A.R., Prodanovic, M., Bryant, S.L., and Huh, C., "Quasi-static analysis of a ferrofluid blob in a capillary tube," accepted for publication, J. Appl. Phys., Feb. 2012.
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