Abstract: A method of depleting a given analyte from a water source is provided. The method is applicable to water used in oil recovery, water used in natural gas recovery, the treatment of water wells, and for water used in hydraulic fluids for fracturing processes, such as water to be used in proppants or fracking fluids. The method involves depleting an analyte from a water source, said method comprising contacting a water source with a superparamagnetic or paramagnetic nanoparticle; complexing the analyte with the particle; and removing the analyte-particle complex by applying a magnetic field so as to provide a water source with depleted analyte content. The depleted water can then be pumped into one or more connecting injection well(s) in an oil field pushing the crude oil 10 towards one or more production well(s) thereby allowing for enhanced oil recovery from the production wells.

Abstract: A method of depleting an ion from a water source is provided. The method is applicable to water used in oil recovery, water used in natural gas recovery, the treatment of water wells, and for water used in hydraulic fluids for fracturing processes, such as water to be used in proppants or fracking fluids. The method involves depleting an ion from a water source, said method comprising contacting a water source with a superparamagnetic or paramagnetic nanoparticle; complexing the ion with the particle; and removing the ion-particle complex by applying a magnetic field so as to provide a water source with depleted ion content. The depleted water can then be pumped into one or more connecting injection well(s) in an oil field pushing the crude oil towards one or more production well(s) thereby allowing for enhanced oil recovery from the production wells.

Abstract: A method of depleting the bacterial content in a water source is provided. The method involves depleting the bacterial content in a water source for a water flooding process, said method comprising contacting a water source with a superparamagnetic or paramagnetic nanoparticle; complexing the bacteria with the particle; and removing the bacteria-particle complex by applying a magnetic field so as to provide a water source with depleted bacterial content. The depleted water can then be pumped into one or more connecting injection well(s) in an oil field pushing the crude oil towards one or more production well(s) thereby allowing for enhanced oil recovery from the production wells.

Abstract: A method of treating crude oil comprising depleting the content of aromatic hydrocarbons comprising contacting the crude oil with super-paramagnetic or paramagnetic nanoparticles comprising chemical functional groups. The method increases the API gravity of crude oil and reduces the viscosity of said oil. Oil can be depleted in its content of sulphur-containing aromatics using functionalized nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method of depleting a given analyte from a water source is provided. The method is applicable to water used in oil recovery, water used in natural gas recovery, the treatment of water wells, and for water used in hydraulic fluids for fracturing processes, such as water to be used in proppants or fracking fluids. The method involves depleting an analyte from a water source, said method comprising contacting a water source with a superparamagnetic or paramagnetic nanoparticle; complexing the analyte with the particle; and removing the analyte-particle complex by applying a magnetic field so as to provide a water source with depleted analyte content. The depleted water can then be pumped into one or more connecting injection well(s) in an oil field pushing the crude oil 10 towards one or more production well(s) thereby allowing for enhanced oil recovery from the production wells.

Abstract: A method of depleting the bacterial content in a water source is provided. The method involves depleting the bacterial content in a water source for a water flooding process, said method comprising contacting a water source with a superparamagnetic or paramagnetic nanoparticle; complexing the bacteria with the particle; and removing the bacteria-particle complex by applying a magnetic field so as to provide a water source with depleted bacterial content. The depleted water can then be pumped into one or more connecting injection well(s) in an oil field pushing the crude oil towards one or more production well(s) thereby allowing for enhanced oil recovery from the production wells.

Abstract: A method of treating crude oil comprising depleting the content of aromatic hydrocarbons comprising contacting the crude oil with super-paramagnetic or paramagnetic nanoparticles comprising chemical functional groups. The method increases the API gravity of crude oil and reduces the viscosity of said oil. Oil can be depleted in its content of sulphur-containing aromatics using functionalized nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method of depleting an ion from a water source is provided. The method is applicable to water used in oil recovery, water used in natural gas recovery, the treatment of water wells, and for water used in hydraulic fluids for fracturing processes, such as water to be used in proppants or fracking fluids. The method involves depleting an ion from a water source, said method comprising contacting a water source with a superparamagnetic or paramagnetic nanoparticle; complexing the ion with the particle; and removing the ion-particle complex by applying a magnetic field so as to provide a water source with depleted ion content. The depleted water can then be pumped into one or more connecting injection well(s) in an oil field pushing the crude oil towards one or more production well(s) thereby allowing for enhanced oil recovery from the production wells.