ATOMS AT THE SERVICE OF MAN

Nanotechnology, which is growing in importance worldwide, is the most modern technology that requires less expense and human labour. Its introduction allows energy to be saved and costs reduced, fantastically speeding up processes. The founder and "godfather" of this science, Eric Drexler, says that in the future, people will have a unique opportunity to use nanotechnology to create any objects and substances with a predetermined structure of atoms.

For an oil-producing country like Azerbaijan, increasing oil production, lower viscosity and growing speed of drilling, and energy efficiency are indicators of economic development and benefit.

Developed on the basis of studies by SOCAR's Nanotechnology Scientific and Production Centre and the theory of "the effect of small concentrations", nanosystems have been introduced in several areas of the oil industry in Azerbaijan. The use of nanosystems in drilling, as well as in oil production helps to eliminate problems and speed up the process, which makes it possible to obtain unique results.

Development and implementation of nanosystems

As early as 2010, nanosystems based on metal were developed with the aim of purifying stratal water, and they were successfully introduced at the Bibiheybat field. It is known that the development of nanosystems requires the use of expensive reagents, the import of which is associated with high costs. To remedy these problems, Nanotechnology SPC experts developed and introduced nanoparticles based on the natural resources of Azerbaijan. To do this, samples of clay were taken from different regions of the country (Xizi, Lerik, Dasgil and Qazax), and they were analysed in the SPC laboratory, as well as at the Nano-Analytics Centre of Germany's Aachen and Munster Universities.

The study of the samples of clay taken from the Alpout field in Qazax District led to the development of new nanosystems based on these samples. The centre is already engaged in scientific research to develop new nanosystems based on natural resources in order to purify stratal and waste water.

An equally important factor is the cementing of the casing pipes of oil and gas wells. In order to eliminate the problems that arise when cementing, the Nanotechnology SPC developed a nano-cement solution based on the effect of "small and super-small concentrations".

The strength of the nano-cement stone was much higher than with the conventional solution of water-cement-retardant agent. This prevents early drowning of the well and increases the turnaround time.

Nano-cement can be used for the cementation of fixed offshore units and in civil engineering, including in the construction of bridges, buildings, tunnels, dams, metros, as well as for cement and concrete solutions used in construction.

Nanosystems in drilling

For the first time in world practice, the theory of "the effect of small concentrations" of Academician Xosbaxt Yusifzada and Professor Eldar Sahbazov helped to develop the scientific bases of nanosystems in drilling - NANONEFT, NANOBITUM, NANOGUDRON, NANO-OIL and NANO-OMM. With the help of these systems, 37 wells were drilled with no accidents and complications during abnormally high and low pressures with the participation of Doctor of Technical Sciences E. Kazimov and positive results were obtained in both scientific and practical terms. These nanosystems were successfully used at the Baku and Abseron archipelagos, as well as at the Qum Adasi, Gunasli, Bibiheybat, Balaxani, Oil Rocks and Pirallahi fields of the Caspian basin. As a result, the porosity and permeability of the reservoir of productive cuts was preserved, the contamination of productive strata was prevented and the development time of wells after drilling was reduced.

The nanosystems that were designed have such effects as "nanomemory", "early turbulence" and "longevity". For the first time in the practice of drilling, a nanosystem has a "nanomemory". After the nanosystem is added to the drilling fluid, the friction ratio of the mud cake of the drilling fluid retains its effectiveness for a long time.

The introduction of nanosystems in the drilling fluid is accompanied by the appearance of early turbulence. As a result, hydraulic resistance decreases several times, and energy consumption is reduced. This discovery, developed by Professor E. Sahbazov and E. Kazimov, was patented under the name of "the method of reducing hydraulic pressure in drilling".

It is known that the parameters of the drilling fluid are regulated by the addition of chemicals. As a result of the long circulation of the solution, its parameters lose their quality due to downhole pressure, which causes rotting of the solution and its sedimentation. As a result of the introduction of nanosystems, the longevity of the drilling fluid was achieved, as its parameters retain their properties for a long time.

Nanotechnology in oil production

Increasing the productivity of old and difficult fields is one of the main problems of oil producing countries. With the introduction of nanotechnology, Azerbaijan achieved growth in oil production and reduced associated complications. According to experts, a 1-per-cent increase in the recovery factor of a field with large reserves means getting thousands of tonnes of additional oil.

The introduction of nanotechnology by stimulation through the focal hole made it possible to increase oil production in many of the surrounding wells. This process was carried out by nanosystems on the basis of metal.

A new nano-fluid system based on polymer soluble in water was developed. With the use of nanotechnology based on such nano-fluid systems in wells with sand ingress, the turnaround time has increased sufficiently. It is planned to use nanotechnology in other processes as well.

Furthermore, the use of nanotechnology in the reservoir within the field improved the flow of oil by 25-30 per cent.

International interest in Azerbaijani technology 

The introduction of nanotechnology in Azerbaijan presents the country in a new light in the developed world. For example, the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia has expressed an interest in establishing economic relations with Azerbaijan in the field of nanotechnology. In a short period of time, a delegation of the Nanotechnology SPC paid two business visits to North Rhine-Westphalia. During the visit, experts of Germany's Aachen Technical University and experts of the Nanotechnology SPC discussed a number of issues relating to the development and use of nanotechnology, as well as partnership opportunities between the centre and the German university.

At the Aachen Technical University and the NanoCluster Centre (D?sseldorf), the presentation of the book "Design and implementation of nanotechnology in oil and gas production", co-authored by Academician Yusifzada and Professor Sahbazov, was also held.

It should be noted that at the meetings in D?sseldorf, SOCAR and NRW.INVEST agreed upon steps to create a centre for science-production-service-logistics in Chempark in Leverkusen (Germany) for the purpose of researching and developing nano-products, which will be used in oil production and drilling on the basis of Azerbaijani nanotechnology.

It is planned to sell products made jointly to various countries and transfer local patents for these products to Germany, using international experience. To formalize cooperation and endorse it from a legal point of view, SOCAR, the German Development Agency of North Rhine-Westphalia NRW.INWEST GmbH and the cluster of new nano-microtechnologies NanoMikro+Werkstoffe signed a Memorandum of Understanding. On behalf of SOCAR, the document was signed by President Rovnaq Abdullayev. The memorandum provides for the creation of a division of SOCAR's Nanotechnology SPC in North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as for financing, technical and legal substantiation for joint projects, the definition of the territory for the production of nanotechnological systems and the study of the market. Cooperation between the parties will be accompanied by the organization of sales and the study of markets in the European Union and other countries. The memorandum also provides for the implementation of joint projects in the EU on the basis of SOCAR nanotechnology. In addition, it is planned to protect intellectual property rights in respect of SOCAR nanotechnology in the EU, patent and prepare the necessary legal and relevant technical documentation and adapt them to the requirements of EU legislation.

Recently, a team of Nanotechnology NPC experts also visited Porto Alegre (Brazil) at the invitation of Mauro Knijnik, the state secretary of the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. The main purpose of the visit was to familiarize the other side with nanotechnology applied in the oil industry of Azerbaijan, to study the state of nanotechnology in the state and to discuss issues that could form the basis for international cooperation.

As a result of meetings at the State Secretariat, at the Federal University and the Tecnopuc TecnoSinos technology parks, it was decided to strengthen cooperation in the field of nanotechnology.

It should be noted that the experience of SOCAR in the development and implementation of nanotechnology can be seen in many countries conducting research in this area. The introduction of nanotechnology in the oil industry of Azerbaijan opens great prospects for the production and marketing of nano-products based on natural raw materials and the theory of "the effect of low concentrations".