Invented by James M. Tour, Bostjan Genorio, Wei Lu, Katherine Price Hoelscher, James Friedheim, Arvind D. Patel, MI LLC, William Marsh Rice University

The market for wellbore fluids incorporating magnetic carbon nanoribbons is poised for significant growth in the coming years. These innovative fluids offer numerous advantages in the oil and gas industry, including improved drilling efficiency, enhanced wellbore stability, and increased oil recovery rates. As a result, they are gaining traction among drilling companies and are expected to revolutionize the wellbore fluid market. Wellbore fluids, also known as drilling fluids or muds, are essential in the drilling process as they help maintain wellbore stability, cool and lubricate the drill bit, and carry cuttings to the surface. Traditional wellbore fluids are typically composed of water or oil-based solutions, with various additives to enhance their performance. However, these fluids often face challenges such as instability, poor lubrication, and limited oil recovery rates. The incorporation of magnetic carbon nanoribbons into wellbore fluids addresses these challenges and offers a range of benefits. Magnetic carbon nanoribbons are ultra-thin strips of carbon with unique magnetic properties. When added to wellbore fluids, they provide stability and improve lubrication, reducing the risk of wellbore collapse and minimizing friction between the drill bit and the formation. This leads to smoother drilling operations, increased drilling speed, and reduced downtime. Furthermore, the magnetic properties of carbon nanoribbons enable efficient recovery of oil from the wellbore. By applying an external magnetic field, the nanoribbons can be manipulated to selectively attract and remove oil droplets from the drilling fluid, resulting in higher oil recovery rates. This not only maximizes the production potential of the well but also reduces the environmental impact by minimizing the amount of oil left behind in the drilling process. The market for wellbore fluids incorporating magnetic carbon nanoribbons is expected to witness substantial growth due to the numerous advantages they offer. The increasing demand for oil and gas, coupled with the need for more efficient drilling techniques, is driving the adoption of these innovative fluids. Additionally, stringent environmental regulations and the growing focus on sustainable drilling practices further contribute to the market’s expansion. Several companies are actively involved in the research and development of wellbore fluids incorporating magnetic carbon nanoribbons. These companies are investing in advanced manufacturing techniques and exploring various methods of incorporating nanoribbons into wellbore fluids. Additionally, collaborations between oil and gas companies, research institutions, and nanotechnology firms are fostering innovation and accelerating the commercialization of these fluids. In conclusion, the market for wellbore fluids incorporating magnetic carbon nanoribbons is set to experience significant growth in the coming years. The unique properties of these nanoribbons offer numerous advantages, including improved drilling efficiency, enhanced wellbore stability, and increased oil recovery rates. As the demand for more efficient and sustainable drilling techniques continues to rise, the adoption of these innovative fluids is expected to revolutionize the wellbore fluid market and reshape the future of the oil and gas industry.

The MI LLC, William Marsh Rice University invention works as follows

A wellbore liquid may contain an oleaginous phase in a continuous form, one or more carbon nanoribbons and at least one weighting agents. Circulating a fluid containing a magnetic nanoribbon composition in combination with a base fluid is one method for performing wellbore operation. “A method for the electrical logging a subterranean deep well can include placing a logging media into the well, which comprises a non aqueous liquid and one or two magnetic carbon nanoribbons. The magnetic carbon nanoribbons must be present at a concentration that allows the electrical logging to occur.

Background for Wellbore Fluids incorporating Magnetic Carbon Nanoribbons, and Methods of Using the Same

Current geological logging methods have many limitations, particularly when a reservoir contains a viscous liquid, like an oil-based drilling fluid. These fluids can interfere with resistance and conductivity. The data obtained by such fluids is generally low resolution and difficult for the user to interpret. “Therefore, it is necessary to develop more effective compositions and methods for interpreting and analyzing data obtained from fluids such as oil-based liquids.

In one aspect, one of more embodiments relates to a method for performing wellbore operation that includes circulating through a borehole a fluid containing a magnetic nanoribbon composition with a base fluid.

In another aspect, “In one or several embodiments, a method for electrically logging a subterranean deep well includes placing into the well a logging media, wherein said logging medium is a non-aqueous liquid and one or two magnetic carbon nanoribbons. The magnetic carbon nanoribbons must be present at a concentration that allows the subterranean depth to be electrically logged; and obtaining an electrical log from the well.

In yet another aspect, “one or more embodiments” relate to a fluid for wellbore that includes oleaginous continuously phase; one of more magnetic carbon nanoribbons and at least one weighting agents.

This summary is intended to introduce concepts that will be further explained in the detailed description. This summary does not aim to identify the key or essential features in the claimed subject material, nor to limit the scope of that subject matter.

The following general description is intended to explain and illustrate the subject matter and not limit it, as stated. The word ‘a’ is used in this application to refer to the plural. The word?a? The use of ‘or? And/or, unless otherwise stated. The term “including” is also used, along with other forms such as “includes”. The terms ‘included’ and ‘included’ are not limited. Also, terms like?element’ are not limiting. or ?component? “Elements or components” includes both elements or components that make up a unit as well as elements or components that make up more than one unit, unless otherwise specified.

The section headings are used for organization purposes only and should not be construed to limit the subject matter. The entire text of all documents or portions thereof cited in the application (including but not limited articles, books, patents and patent applications), are expressly incorporated by reference into this application for any purpose. If the literature or similar materials incorporated in this application define a term differently than the application itself, then this application will control.

In some embodiments, this disclosure relates to methods for making magnetic carbon nanoribbons. In certain embodiments, these methods include: (1) forming magnetic carbon nanoribbons from carbon nanomaterials split; and (2) combining magnetic materials or precursors to magnetic materials with carbon nanoribbons. In other embodiments, the present disclosure includes a step for reducing magnetic precursors in order to produce magnetic materials. The methods of the current disclosure can also include, in additional embodiments a step for hydrolyzing magnetic materials or magnetic precursors. In different embodiments, associating can occur before, during, or after splitting the carbon nanomaterials.

In some embodiments the methods of this disclosure may include a step for functionalizing the carbon nanoribbons using one or more functionalizing substances, such as alkyl, haloalkanes and iodoalkanes groups, hexadecyl, octyl, butyl, alcohols halides aldehydes ketones esters enones nitriles CS2 monomers vinyl monomers CO2 CS2

In some embodiments the functionalizing can occur in situ, during the splitting of carbon nanomaterials. In certain embodiments, functionalizing can form edge-functionalized nanoribbons. In some embodiments where the functionalizing agent is a monomer, the functionalizing may form polymer-functionalized carbon nanoribbons. In some embodiments, the polymer-functionalized carbon nanoribbons may be edge-functionalized.

In some embodiments the carbon materials are selected from a group that includes single-walled nanotubes (carbon nanotubes with fewer walls), multi-walled nanotubes (carbon nanotubes with more walls), double-walled nanotubes (carbon nanotubes with triple-walled walls), ultra-short nanotubes of carbon, graphene ribbons and graphene nanoribbons. “In more specific embodiments the carbon nanomaterials are multi-walled nanotubes.

In some embodiments the magnetic material precursors are ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic. In specific embodiments the magnetic material precursors are FeCl3. Cobalt, iron, iron oxide, magnetite, ferrite, iron ferrite, nickel ferrite, magnesium ferrite, copper ferrite, manganese bismuth, manganese antimony, manganese ferrite, chromium dioxide, and nickel, are also illustrative ferromagnetic/ferromagnetic precursors that may be used in one or more embodiments.

In some embodiments the magnetic materials can be selected from metals such as metal salts and metals. They may also include metallic alloys or metal oxides. Further embodiments include the selection of the following magnetic materials: lithium, sodium and potassium, cesium, Rubidium, Calcium, iron, cobalt nickel, copper, manganese gadolinium chromium dysprosium europium alloys thereof.

Additional embodiments of the disclosure relate to magnetic nanoribbons compositions which may have been made by the present disclosure. These compositions typically include magnetic materials and functionalized carbon nanoribbons. Magnetic carbon nanoribbons can also be arranged in different ways. In some embodiments the magnetic nanoribbons can be arranged in single sheets. In certain embodiments, magnetic carbon nanoribbons can be stacked. In certain embodiments, magnetic carbon nanoribbons include graphene nanoribbons. In some embodiments the magnetic nanoribbons are graphite nanoribbons.

Currently, there are two major electrical log techniques: the wireline logging or openhole logging (WL) technique; and the logging-while-drilling (LWD) technique. The oil and gas industry uses both techniques to assess the reservoir properties. The low resistance and high conductivity in water-based fluids makes both techniques sensitive to them. Oil-based drilling fluids have many advantages over water-based ones.

Oil-based liquids have many advantages, but they are also nonconductive and highly resistive. The data obtained using oil-based liquids is generally low resolution and difficult for the user to interpret.

The present disclosure includes one or more embodiments that relate to the use magnetic carbon nanoribbons with oil-based fluids for increasing the conductivity so they can be used in WL and LWD technologies. The disclosure provides also methods for making magnetic carbon nanoribbons.

In some embodiments, this disclosure relates to methods for making magnetic carbon nanoribbons. In certain embodiments, these methods include: (1) forming magnetic carbon nanoribbons through the splitting of carbon nanomaterials and (2) associating magnetic materials or precursors to magnetic materials with carbon nanoribbons. Associating can occur before, after or during the splitting of carbon nanomaterials in various embodiments. The methods of the present disclosure may also include, in other embodiments of the method, a step for functionalizing the nanoribbons of carbon with one or multiple functionalizing agents.

In some embodiments, methods of the current disclosure include a step reducing magnetic precursors to produce magnetic materials. The methods of the disclosure can also include, in other embodiments, a step for hydrolyzing magnetic materials or magnetic precursors.

Additional embodiments of the disclosure relate to magnetic nanoribbons compositions which can be made by using the methods disclosed. These compositions typically include magnetic materials and carbon nanoribbons.

FIG. FIG. 1 is a non-limiting and illustrative scheme for forming magnetic graphene Nanoribbons. FIG. In two steps, functionalized magnetic graphene can be made. In the first stage, magnetic materials are intercalated into multi-walled nanotubes (MWNTs). The MWNTs will be split in the second step. In situ, the edges are functionalized of the newly formed nanoribbons.

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