US Patent 8197241 - Nanocomposite Moineau pump

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8197241.html

Moineau pumps are commonly used to extract oil from wells in addition to other areas of fluid transport. This patent from Schlumberger Technology Corporation teaches the use of carbon nanotube materials to increase the durability of these devices. Claim 1 reads:

1. An apparatus for use with a fluid, comprising:

a stator with a profiled helical inner surface; and

a rotor with a profiled helical outer surface that interfaces to said profiled helical inner surface of said stator to form cavities for the fluid between said stator and said rotor, said cavities progressing axially as said rotor is rotated relative to said stator,

wherein at least one of said stator or said rotor comprises a nanocomposite material that includes a polymeric matrix with carbon nanotubes dispersed therein wherein the nanocomposite material improves thermal conductivity,

the improved thermal conductivity inhibiting excessive build up of heat in said stator or said rotor.                             

US Patent 7968184 - Erosion resistant CNT surface for oilfield exploration

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7968184.html

This patent from Schlumberger Technology Corporation teaches a way to reduce erosion of equipment used in wellbore drilling using carbon nanotube coatings. Claim 1 reads:

13. An erosion resistant device for oilfield exploration, drilling, or production comprising:

a component having an erosion resistant surface having an array of elastic whiskers;

wherein the array of elastic whiskers reduces a speed of a particle impacting the erosion resistant surface thus reducing an erosion rate of the erosion resistant surface;

wherein the array of elastic whiskers comprises a forest of vertically-aligned carbon nanotubes; and

wherein the erosion resistant device is selected from a mud motor rotor, stator, drill bit, and shirttails.

US Patent 7874250 - High power nanoswitch for wellbore

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7874250.html

This patent from Schlumberger Technology teaches switches used in the high temperature environment of wellbore applications using nanotube field emitters to enable high voltage (>1400 V DC) switching. Claim 1 reads:

1. An apparatus comprising:

a component for use in a wellbore;

a nano-diode coupled to the component to enable activation of the component,

wherein the nano-diode comprises an electrode and nano-emitters formed on the electrode, the nano-emitters to emit electrons.

US Patent 7629604 - Nanoemitter field emission switch

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7629604.html

While vacuum tubes have been replaced by transistors in most computer applications since the 1950's, high power devices still require some field emission switching devices. This patent is from Schlumberger Technology Corporation and teaches one variation of carbon nanotube field emitter switch. Claim 15 reads:

15. An apparatus comprising:

a support structure providing a support surface; and

a nano-switch mounted on the support surface, the nano-switch comprising:

a first electrode providing a surface angled with respect to the support surface,

a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode,

nano-emitters provided on one or more of the first and second electrodes, and

a dielectric material between the first and second electrodes configured to break down upon application of a voltage between the first and second electrodes to provide a current flow path through the dielectric.

US Patent 7604049 - Graphitic nanoflake composites for oil field exploration

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7604049.html

This patent from Schlumberger Technology Corporation teaches a polymer composite including graphitic nanoparticles in order to enhance the reliability and lifespan for sealants and insulation used in oil extraction apparatus. Claim 1 reads:

1. An apparatus comprising:

(a) a polymeric matrix formed into an oilfield element; and

(b) a plurality of expanded graphitic nanoflakes and/or nanoplatelets having an expansion ratio ranging from about 40:1 to about 300:1 dispersed in the polymeric matrix,

wherein the expanded graphitic nanoflakes and/or nanoplatelets are selected from the group consisting of expanded graphite, exfoliated graphite, and compositions based on boron and nitrogen, and mixtures and combinations thereof.

US Patent 7543638 - Nanoparticle enhanced oil recovery

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7543638.html

In the later stages of oil recovery operations it is necessary to perform chemical procedures to recover heavy oils or tar which can require a great deal of energy expenditure. This patent from Schlumberger Technology Corporation teaches a method of using nanoparticle catalysts to reduce these energy costs in recovering oil from late stage oil reserves. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method for enhancing oil recovery in a formation, comprising:

placing a metal or metal oxide catalyst in a wellbore, wherein the metal or metal oxide catalyst comprises nanoparticles having diameters less than about 1 micrometer; and

introducing an oxidizing agent into the wellbore to contact the metal or metal oxide catalyst such that a hydrocarbon in the formation is oxidized to produce heat and at least one gas.