THE "FINE PARTICLES" OF A BIG DISCOVERY

Nanotechnology - the miracle of the 21st century or, as it is called, "the third scientific-technical revolution" - is one of the most important trends in world science. "Fine particles" ("nano" in Greek) and technologies based on their application are already being used in many spheres of human activity - ecology, medicine, space, cybernetics, food and other industries, and especially the oil sector. These advanced technologies offer hitherto unknown possibilities to create new products or improve ones that are already being produced. Therefore, almost all civilized countries allocate huge funds for research in the field of nanotechnology, which is why the number of patents granted in this area has increased dramatically in recent years.

The pioneer in the use of nanotechnology in Azerbaijan is the oil sector, which is rightly considered the engine of the economy. Over a relatively short period of time, Azerbaijani scientists have achieved such impressive results in this field that today their works are cited by most scientists who study the use of nanotechnology in the energy sector.

Effective systems

Azerbaijan is among the first countries to use nanotechnology. This is not surprising - almost all innovations in the oil business were introduced first in Baku and got their start in life here. And now, 160 years after the world's first mechanized drilling of an oil well, Azerbaijan's oil and gas industry, under the leadership of Academician Xosbaxt Yusifzada and Professor Eldar Sahbazov, has developed the basics for the use of nanotechnology in the oil industry.

We must say that the development of nanotechnology for oil and gas production in Azerbaijan started in the 1980s under the leadership of a renowned scholar and academician, Azad Mirzacanzada. Since 2005, the theories of the "effect of low concentration" and "super-small particles and the effect of low concentration" have been developed for the first time in the practice of drilling wells.

The success of scientists' initiatives in the field of nanotechnology prompted the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) to adopt the programme Nanoneft, which covers 2010-2015 and consists of four parts: Nano-production, Nano-drilling, Nano-petrochemicals and Econano-oil. To implement the programme developed by Yusifzada and Sahbazov and approved by the president of SOCAR, Rovnaq Abdullayev, at the end of 2010 a research and production centre called Nanotechnology was established at SOCAR.

It was Azerbaijani scientists who first developed the scientific basic systems Nanoneft, Nanobitum, Nanogudron and Nanomay, aimed at preventing complications and accidents in the process of drilling wells. The systems have been successfully applied in practice, particularly in the fields Qum Adasi, Bibiheybat, Balaxani, Beyimdag-Takcay and Gunasli, which are known for their geological intersections and anomalous high and low pressure, and the wells reach their design depth without complications. For accuracy, we can specify that, thanks to nanotechnology, 32 wells were successfully drilled, and the number continues to grow. The fact is that the new systems can maintain the stability of the walls of the well and create a protective shield in the reservoir, which prevents the contamination of the production reservoir and reduces the use of external chemical reagents to 15-25 per cent.

In other words, nanotechnology is important for the oil industry, primarily in terms of efficient production. Since up to 60 per cent of active SOCAR wells are low-yield and highly water-encroached wells, which are used to operate deposits in the advanced stage of development, the need for nanotechnology here is very high at present and in the future. Suffice it to say that following the introduction of nanotechnology, more than 1,000 tonnes of additional oil were extracted in 2006-08 alone, while expenditure on the introduction of technology paid off about 25-fold.

Azerbaijani scientists' studies found that nanotechnology helps increase oil production 1.3-1.5- fold and in some cases 2-2.5-fold, reduce energy consumption in oil production by 15 per cent and the amount of water in the production environment by 20 per cent. Another very important financial aspect: 1 manat of investment turns into 8-10 manats in profit. Taking into account fluctuating oil prices on world markets and the ever-increasing demand for it, every tonne of oil extracted is of particular importance and relevance.

Against the background of the results that have been achieved, the Nanotechnology scientific-production centre is conducting more intensive research, both in drilling and oil production. In the future, it is planned to carry out work using new systems in the fields of ecology and chemistry. Also, on the agenda is the production of nano-products based on nano-systems and their release into the domestic market of Azerbaijan, which is why talks are already being held with the Azarkimya production association.

International recognition

As noted above, Azerbaijan has become a pioneer in the field of nanotechnology in the oil industry, and therefore, it is not surprising that the country's experience in this area is of great interest in the world. The most elementary example: if you search the Internet for more information about nanotechnology in the oil industry, most of the articles will describe either the experience or our country or the findings of Azerbaijani scientists.

Also, it is enough to note that the scientific study Nanotechnology in the Oil Industry (Basic Research, Invention and Application), authored by the prominent Azerbaijani scientists and specialists Azad Mirzacanzada, Abel Maharramov, Rovnaq Abdullayev, Xosbaxt Yusifzada, Eldar Sahbazov, Rahman Qurbanov, Sabuhi Ahmadov, Mahammadali Ramazanov, Sabiyar Safiyev and Elcin Kazimov, was highly appreciated by UNESCO, and this organization's recently published book, entitled Encyclopaedia of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, dedicates 17 pages to studies by Azerbaijani scientists. And the director of the Nanotechnology scientific-production centre, Eldar Sahbazov, was awarded a UNESCO medal for the development of nanotechnology.

Recently, the work of the Azerbaijani scientists was highly appreciated at an international forum on nanotechnology, which was held in Moscow. The event was organized as an exhibition and conference, and highlighted among the "exhibits", nano-machines and nano-transport operated without fuel, and the "nano-diamond", invented by Russian scientists. 

It is especially remarkable that well-known scientists, Nobel laureates and heads of major state agencies of Russia, who participated in the forum, closely followed speeches by Eldar Sahbazov, who represented Azerbaijan at the event. He introduced new nano-products made in our country and described Azerbaijan's experience in this field. It must be noted that during the forum, the Azerbaijani delegation received an offer from German specialists to organize the production of such products in Germany. The chairman of the board of the ROSNANO joint-stock company, Anatoliy Chubays, spoke about the importance of nanotechnology created by Azerbaijani oilmen, which could be another area of joint activity for Azerbaijani and Russian scientists and expand economic relations between the two countries.

In other words, the prospects for the development of nanotechnology are broad, and we can assume that very soon this will become a leading area in scientific and practical work not only in the oil industry, but also in other sectors of the economy and social life of Azerbaijan.