English Abstract

Carbon Nanotube Rubber Composoites Playing an Active Part in Deep Harsh Environments of the Earth

Toru NOGUCHI *1
Hiroyuki UEKI *1
Masaei ITO *2
Osamu OSAWA *2
Morinobu ENDO *3
*1:Research Center for Exotic Nano Carbon Project, Shinshu University, Nagano-city, Nagano, Japan
*2:Schlumberger KK, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
*3:Institute of Carbon Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Nagano-city, Nagano, Japan
Nippon Gomu Kyokaishi,(2013),86(12),353-359 General Review in Japanese

Production environment of natural gas and oil, which is one of the most important resources, have become increasingly stringent. Working temperature and pressure environment is approaching to 200 and to 200 MPa, respectively. Wells for natural gas and oil is surrounded by a substance having a high aggression, such as hydrogen sulfide, strong acid and strong alkali. We have to challenge the production in harsh environments of deep underground in this way. Carbon black reinforced rubber have been used for many years as an important component in the oil industry, but these rubber did not lead to major advances in the oil field. Recently, the rubber composites obtained from the carbon nanotubes cellulation technology increases operational ratings from 175 and 140 MPa to 260 and 240 MPa for deeper, hotter conditions, and it is especially appropriate for deepwater reservoirs. In this paper, we describe a cellulation technology and explain the actual situation of the rubber playing an active part in an environment of the worst.

Keywords: Carbon Nanotube, Nanocomposite, FKM, FFKM, Cellulation, B/D, Oil Recovery