Application of nanotechnology in hydrocarbon reservoir exploration and characterization

The future development of the oil and gas industries relies on the detection and characterization of subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs and the ability to estimate their reserves (recoverable hydrocarbon in-place). Conventional passive tools such as well-logging techniques used for characterization of geological formations are not always capable of acquiring sufficient data due to shallow and partial penetration of generated signals by logging devices through the reservoir rock. However, adequate nanosensors or nanorobots have proved to be successful as active tools for reservoir exploration and characterization. This chapter describes theoretical and analytical aspects of nanotechnology for subsurface applications especially in the field of reservoir exploration and characterization. The chapter covers some basic concepts of hydrocarbon reservoirs and discusses the application of nanotechnology such as nanosensors, nanorobots, and nanoreporters in various fields of reservoir exploration and characterization including hydrocarbon detection, flood front monitoring, and H₂S gas detection and monitoring in subsurface formations.