Jaxon Caines, technology reporter, Hart Energy: Why does size matter? Well, because in the oil field, you want to enhance both oil mobility and recovery. When a biosurfactant is smaller, it can move faster. And Locus Bio-Energy's portfolio features biosurfactant products that are 3.1 nanometers. So what does that mean for enhanced oil mobility?
Megan Pearl, vice president of technology, Locus Bio-Energy Solutions: The nanometer size of our biosurfactants means that they are physically able to touch rock and access oil that conventional chemistries can't. They can get into the tiniest of nano fractures and smallest nano pores, ultimately leading to more oil produced. But it also means that they're able to penetrate, disperse and suspend complex molecular structures, meaning that those particles are not going to block flow in any parts of the reservoir. And the surfactants from Locus may be small, but they're mighty, since they're packed with as many chemical components as possible to impact each stage in oil production and maximize recovery from the rock through the fracture, through the fluids and then to the surface.
JC: But it's not enough to enhance oil mobility. You have to maintain oil integrity, but one chemistry doesn't fit all. Chemicals that are used are highly dependent on optimizing the chemical dosage for your selection. Multifunctional, enhanced bio surfactant technology outperforms conventional acidizing solver packers and tackles key challenges in wellbore remediation in a single, sustainable chemical package.
Every Tuesday we drill into the tech that fuels the oil patch. Be the first to watch it with our E&P weekly newsletter.
Recommended Reading
New Permian Math: Vital Energy and 42 Horseshoe Wells
2024-05-10 - Vital Energy anticipates making 42 double-long, horseshoe-shaped wells where straight lines would have made 84 wells. The estimated savings: $140 million.
SM Energy Targets Prolific Dean in New Northern Midland Play
2024-05-08 - KeyBanc Capital Markets reports SM Energy’s wells “measure up well to anything being drilled in the Midland Basin by anybody today.”
Vår Selling Norne Assets to DNO
2024-05-08 - In exchange for Vår’s producing assets in the Norwegian Sea, DNO is paying $51 million and transferring to Vår its 22.6% interest in the Ringhorne East unit in the North Sea.
Crescent Energy: Bigger Uinta Frac Now Making 60% More Boe
2024-05-08 - Crescent Energy also reported companywide growth in D&C speeds, while well costs have declined 10%.
SLB OneSubsea JV to Kickstart North Sea Development
2024-05-07 - SLB OneSubsea, a joint venture including SLB and Subsea7, have been awarded a contract by OKEA that will develop the Bestla Project offshore Norway.