Development of a nano-catalytic in reservoir upgrading and enhanced recovery process for efficient extraction of conventional oil from extra-heavy oils and bitumen reservoirs

改善对经济和环境负责的加拿大油砂开发过程是必要的。技术突破是实现这一基本要求的最有效和最快的途径。卡尔加里大学的Pereira-Almao博士多年来一直在研究纳米催化技术的重大进展，以提高油藏中稠油的综合采收率和提质能力。在这个CRD项目中研究的技术被称为现场升级技术(ISUT)，该技术得到了道达尔勘探和开发公司的行业参与。道达尔正在与Pereira-Almao博士合作，创造创新的技术解决方案，作为他们投资于油砂研究的承诺的一部分，以减少对环境的影响和财务成本。ISUT使用纳米技术来回收重油，使其可运输，并同时将其升级到适销对路的质量。生产的改质油不含渣油，因此可以被认为是符合管道规格的高质量合成沥青/油，不需要稀释剂。此外，亦无须如目前一般做法，进一步提升地面油类的质量。这项耗费大量能源的提升工序可予省略。升级机还需要高昂的投资和运营成本。这些成本现在将被节省；但最重要的是，这些活动造成的大量排放将被消除，从而显著减少加拿大的二氧化碳排放。这样的技术将使加拿大恢复其在世界石油行业的竞争优势，提振经济和环境标准，同时培训许多高素质的个人。

An improved economically and environmentally responsible development process for Canada's oil sands, is a necessity.Technological breakthroughs are the most effective and quickest way to achieve this fundamental requirement. The University of Calgary's Dr. Pereira-Almao, has spent years researching significant advances in nano-catalytic technologies for in reservoir combined enhanced heavy oils recovery and upgrading. The technology researched within this CRD program, with industrial participation from Total E&P, is called In Situ Upgrading Technology (ISUT). Total is partnering with Dr. Pereira-Almao to create innovative technological solutions as part of their commitment to invest in oil sands research that reduce environmental impact and financial cost. ISUT uses nanotechnology to recover heavy oil, make it transportable and upgrade it to marketable quality, all at the same time. The produced upgraded oil does not contain residue and can therefore be regarded as a high quality synthetic bitumen/oil that meets pipeline specification without the need for diluent. There is also no need to further upgrade the oil at the surface as is the common practice currently required.This energy-intensive step for upgrading processes can be omitted. Upgraders also require high investments and operating costs. These costs will now be saved; but most importantly, significant levels of emissions caused by these activities will be removed, reducing Canada's CO2 production significantly. Technology like this will give Canada back its competitive edge in the world oil industry, boosting the economy and environmental standards, while training many highly qualified individuals.