Scientists at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) are tapping into the power of neutron research to revolutionize the oil industry. Dina Hegazy of the Colorado School of Mines is leading efforts to better understand and enhance oil recovery from unconventional reserves, according to an announcement by ORNL. The research is critical as it comes at a time when America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve is at a historic low, underscoring the need for improved methods to secure energy independence.
The scientists are specifically focusing on an Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) technique called CO2 huff-n-puff, which has proven to significantly boost oil recovery from tough reservoirs. Traditional drilling methods often leave behind substantial oil, but CO2 huff-n-puff aims to extract more from these challenging environments. "Neutrons gives us insight into these reservoirs that otherwise isn’t possible,” instrument scientist James Torres told ORNL, detailing how neutrons allow researchers to observe fluid movements that are essential for refining oil extraction processes.
"The goal is to look at how CO2 flows in nanopores that have oil in them," Hegazy explained. By understanding how pore size impacts CO2 flow, scientists can improve how effectively the gas displaces oil, increasing the rate of recovery. Neutron imaging helps visualize these fluid movements in shale samples and is particularly effective under high pressures. "Working with the MARS team has been amazing,” Hegazy said. “Everyone is very cooperative and open to exchanging ideas."
This neutron research is not only pivotal for the energy industry but spans various sectors such as automotive, defense, and healthcare. ORNL houses another cutting-edge facility, the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), an accelerator-based system that complements HFIR’s capabilities. Both facilities draw researchers globally and showcase the role of advanced sciences in tackling today's major challenges. UT-Battelle manages ORNL on behalf of the DOE Office of Science, which invests heavily in physical science research to conquer pressing global issues.
