More oil from chalk. Better oil recoveruy with help from nanotechnology (Nano-Chalk)

The purpose of the project: Even with the most advanced methods, it is often not possible to recover more than about 50% of the oil from North Sea chalk. The goal of this project is to find a way to release more of the trapped oil. Likely, the key will be to develop a product that can modify the surface behaviour of the chalk particles, behaviour which is to blame for holding back the oil. Oil gets stuck in the chalk: Oil production depends on the size of the spaces between the chalk particles and how these pore spaces are linked together. Current recovery methods often push sea water into a reservoir to press some of the oil out of the pores, but much remains stuck on the chalk surfaces and in the corners formed between particles. The smaller the particles are, the more corners are formed, so more oil remains behind. Research on chalk: Scientists from research institutions and oil companies have worked for many years to increase oil release from chalk. Now, new instruments and expertise are available that may provide an opportunity to examine chalk at the nanometer-scale (a nanometer is, for example, one one thousandth of the length of bacteria). The new research will show what controls the surface properties of chalk, providing clues for making it easier to release oil. The project team includes chemists, physicists, geologists, mineralogists, geneticists and engineers. Huge potential: For the oil fields in the Danish North Sea, even a small increase in production would produce a noticeable economic effect. From a larger perspective, extra oil will win society time for development of effective alternative energy sources