Graphene Sheet in Oil Wells Could Make All the Difference

The economic factor is one of the main things that dictate whether an oil well will be opened or not, economists say. Experts at the Rice University have recently entered a new research effort, aimed at producing a nanometer-thick layer of graphene that would constitute an additive for average drilling bits. The innovation, which the RU team is working on together with colleagues from Houston-based M-I SWACO, could make all the difference between oil wells that make a substantial profit and those that barely pay for themselves, the university reveals in a press release.

The main purpose of the graphene additive will be to create a thin filter cake on the walls of the boreholes, and to keep all pores in their surroundings open. This may ensure a clear and steady oil flow from the underground deposits to the surface, and eliminate the need for very cost-intensive maintenance work. Only trace amounts of additives will have to be added to the barrels containing the average drilling fluid, the scientists report.

“People often ask me what are we developing, and most of the time they want to know what's coming out tomorrow, next week, next month or next quarter. In reality, I have to worry about things we're going to implement two to five years from now. That's where the step changes are. That's where we hope and believe nanotechnology, with Rice and Jim's group, will help us get to where we need to go,” M-I SWACO's Vice President for Research and Engineering, James Bruton, explains. “We've shown [the new material] to be nontoxic in many forms. It's all graphite-based, and that often comes from the ground anyway,” the expert adds.

“It's something we've wanted to get into, but it was obvious we would have to partner with those who are in the know about nanotechnology. So when a friend of our CEO’s who knows Professor Tour asked if we were interested in visiting with him, we were happy to say yes,” he says. Through this partnership, M-I SWACO recognized the important contributions that the Rice University brought in the field of nanotechnology over the years. In charge of the RU research team is the Chao Professor of Chemistry, James Tour, who is also a professor of mechanical engineering and materials science, and of computer science, at the university.