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

改善加拿大油砂的经济和环境责任开发过程是必要的。技术突破是实现这一基本要求的最有效、最快捷的途径。卡尔加里大学的Pereira-Almao博士花了数年时间研究纳米催化技术在油藏中提高稠油采收率和升级方面的重大进展。在Total E&P的参与下，该CRD项目研究的技术被称为原位升级技术（ISUT）。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利用纳米技术回收重油，使其可运输，并将其升级为可销售的质量，所有这些都在同一时间进行。生产的提质油不含残渣，不需要稀释剂，是符合管道规格的高质量合成沥青/油。也不需要像目前的常规做法那样进一步升级地面的石油。这个用于升级工艺的能源密集型步骤可以省略。升级器还需要高投资和运营成本。这些费用现在将得到节省；但最重要的是，这些活动造成的大量排放将被消除，大大减少加拿大的二氧化碳产量。像这样的技术将使加拿大在世界石油工业中恢复竞争优势，促进经济和环境标准，同时培养许多高素质的人才。

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.