The EXPEC Advanced Research Center (EXPEC ARC) has achieved the industry's first field test of reservoir nanoagents - a milestone for the Resbots™ program. In June, EXPEC ARC reservoir engineers demonstrated for the first time that specialized nanoagents can be injected and produced under live field conditions in an observation well. Three years ago, EXPEC ARC technologists originated the concept of sending nano-sized detectors through the reservoir to gather in-situ data for enhanced reservoir mapping and characterization. That vision earned Saudi Aramco a 2008 World Oil Award. Saudi Aramco has been leading the industry ever since, developing the agents and demonstrating that they can be injected and removed from reservoir carbonate rock. “Today, with the notable success of the first field trial, our vision is closer to becoming reality,” said Amin H. Nasser, senior vice president of Exploration and Producing. “Resbots will be able to measure, report and interact with the reservoir environment to monitor and even change properties.” “Our recent field test is an essential step to fully develop Resbots capable of accurately characterizing the reservoir to further optimize our reservoir management strategies and increase recovery,” Mohammed Y. Al-Qahtani, executive director of Petroleum Engineering and Development was quoted as saying in a latest report carried by Saudi Aramco's web-site.
