Abstract: A method of removing fines and coarse particles from tailings comprises forming a slurry comprising water and oil sands and separating bitumen from tailings comprising fines and coarse particles. Functionalized nanoparticles each comprising a core of carbon nitride and functionalized with one or more exposed cationic groups are mixed with the tailings. The functionalized nanoparticles and the fines interact to form agglomerates comprising the functionalized nanoparticles and the fines attached to the one or more exposed cationic groups. The agglomerates are removed from the tailings to form an aqueous solution having suspended therein fewer fines and coarse particles than are suspended within the tailings.

Abstract: Various illustrative embodiments of a process for enhanced flocculation and clarification of produced water from oil and gas wells using nanoparticles are provided herein. Certain nanoparticles can increase the settling rate of solids in produced water when used alone or combined with certain conventional flocculents.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a concentration of chemicals in a fluid flowing in a fluid passage is disclosed. A sample of the fluid is placed on a substrate comprising a first layer of carbon nanotubes and a second layer of metal nanowires. An energy source radiates the fluid sample with electromagnetic radiation at a selected energy level, and a detector measures an energy level of radiation emitted from the fluid sample in response to the electromagnetic radiation. A processor determines a Raman spectrum of the fluid sample from the energy level of the emitted radiation and estimates the concentration of a selected chemical in the fluid sample based on the Raman spectrum.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing one or more clays within a subterranean formation comprises forming at least one treatment fluid comprising anionic silica particles, cationic silica particles, and at least one base material. The at least one treatment fluid is provided into a subterranean formation containing clay particles to attach at least a portion of the anionic silica particles and the cationic silica particles to surfaces of the clay particles and form stabilized clay particles. A method of treating one or more clays contained within a subterranean formation, and a treatment fluid for a subterranean formation are also described.

Abstract: A method of detecting at least one of an analyte or a condition of a fluid within a subterranean formation comprises operably coupling a radiation source to at least one optical fiber coupled to a sensor comprising optically sensitive materials including at least one of chromophores, fluorophores, metal nanoparticles, or metal oxide nanoparticles dispersed within an optically transparent permeable matrix material. The sensor is contacted within a wellbore with a fluid and the fluid is passed through at least a portion of the sensor. Electromagnetic radiation is transmitted from the radiation source through at least one optical fiber to the sensor and at least one of an absorbance spectrum, an emission spectrum, a maximum absorption intensity, or a maximum emission intensity of electromagnetic radiation passing through the sensor after contacting at least some of the optically sensitive materials with the fluid is measured.

Abstract: A method of removing fines and coarse particles from tailings comprises forming a slurry comprising water and oil sands and separating bitumen from tailings comprising fines and coarse particles. Functionalized nanoparticles each comprising a core of carbon nitride and functionalized with one or more exposed cationic groups are mixed with the tailings. The functionalized nanoparticles and the fines interact to form agglomerates comprising the functionalized nanoparticles and the fines attached to the one or more exposed cationic groups. The agglomerates are removed from the tailings to form an aqueous solution having suspended therein fewer fines and coarse particles than are suspended within the tailings.

Abstract: Suspensions comprising amphiphilic nanoparticles and at least one carrier fluid. The amphiphilic nanoparticles may be formed from a carbon-containing material and include at least a hydrophilic portion and a hydrophobic portion. The hydrophilic portion comprises at least one hydrophilic functional group and the hydrophobic portion includes at least one hydrophobic functional group. Methods of forming the flooding suspension and methods of removing a hydrocarbon material using the flooding suspensions are disclosed.

Abstract: Suspensions comprising amphiphilic nanoparticles and at least one carrier fluid. The amphiphilic nanoparticles include at least a hydrophilic portion and a hydrophobic portion. The hydrophilic portion comprises at least one hydrophilic functional group and the hydrophobic portion includes at least one hydrophobic functional group. Methods of forming the flooding suspension and methods of removing a hydrocarbon material using the flooding suspensions.

Abstract: Suspensions comprising an organic base and at least one carrier fluid. The organic base comprises an amine group and at least one hydrophobic group attached to the amine group. The at least one hydrophobic group may be functionalized with one or more functional groups. Methods of extracting and obtaining a hydrocarbon material from a subterranean formation or bitumen using the suspension are disclosed.

Abstract: A downhole article comprises: an elastomer comprising one or more of the following: an ethylene-propylene-diene monomer rubber; a butadiene rubber; a styrene-butadiene rubber; a natural rubber; an acrylonitrile butadiene rubber; a styrene-butadiene-acrylonitrile resin; a butadiene-nitrile rubber; a polyisoprene rubber; an acrylate-butadiene rubber; a polychloroprene rubber; an acrylate-isoprene rubber; an ethylene-vinyl acetate rubber; a polypropylene oxide rubber; a polypropylene sulfide rubber; a fluoroelastomer; a perfluoroelastomer; or a thermoplastic polyurethane rubber; and a filler dispersed in a functionalized silsesquioxane having a viscosity of about 1 poise to about 40 poise at 25° C.

Abstract: Carbon quantum dots are used as tracers during the production of hydrocarbons. The tracer may be used to identify fluids produced from the reservoir. When used in the fracturing of multiple zones of the reservoir, qualitatively distinguishable carbon quantum dots may be used to identify the zone within the reservoir from which recovered fluid was produced. The carbon quantum dots may also be used in water flooding to determine water breakthrough in the production well. Upon water breakthrough in a production well, they may also be used to identify those injection wells from which breakthrough water originates.

Abstract: In a composition including a plurality of coated diamond nanoparticles, each diamond nanoparticle may have at least one silane functional group covalently bonded to a surface thereof. A method of forming coated diamond nanoparticles may include functionalizing surfaces of diamond nanoparticles with at least one of a fluorine-containing compound and an oxidant; dispersing the functionalized diamond nanoparticles in a solvent comprising a silane functional group; and forming covalent bonds between the silane functional group and the diamond nanoparticles. A method of forming a diamond coating may include depositing the diamond nanoparticles over a substrate.

Abstract: Suspensions comprising an organic base and at least one carrier fluid. The organic base comprises an amine group and at least one hydrophobic group attached to the amine group. The at least one hydrophobic group may be functionalized with one or more functional groups. Methods of extracting and obtaining a hydrocarbon material from a subterranean formation or bitumen using the suspension are disclosed.

Abstract: Suspensions comprising amphiphilic nanoparticles and at least one carrier fluid. The amphiphilic nanoparticles may be formed from a carbon-containing material and include at least a hydrophilic portion and a hydrophobic portion. The hydrophilic portion comprises at least one hydrophilic functional group and the hydrophobic portion includes at least one hydrophobic functional group. Methods of forming the flooding suspension and methods of removing a hydrocarbon material using the flooding suspensions are disclosed.

Abstract: Suspensions comprising amphiphilic nanoparticles and at least one carrier fluid. The amphiphilic nanoparticles include at least a hydrophilic portion and a hydrophobic portion. The hydrophilic portion comprises at least one hydrophilic functional group and the hydrophobic portion includes at least one hydrophobic functional group. Methods of forming the flooding suspension and methods of removing a hydrocarbon material using the flooding suspensions are disclosed.

Abstract: A process for stabilizing particles includes disposing reactive nanoparticles in a borehole; contacting the reactive nanoparticles with a resin; introducing a curing agent; and curing the resin and reactive nanoparticles with the curing agent to form a nanocomposite, wherein, during curing, the nanocomposite is bonded to the particles to stabilize the particles. A process for consolidating particles includes coating the particles with a resin; introducing reactive nanoparticles; curing the resin and reactive nanoparticles with a curing agent to form a nanocomposite which is bonded to the particles; and controlling a rate of the curing by an amount of the curing agent which is present with the resin, wherein the nanocomposite bonded to the particles is thermally stable up to at least 600° F. (315° C.). A system comprises a resin; reactive nanoparticles; a curing agent to form a nanocomposite; and particles disposed in a downhole location to which the nanocomposite binds.

Abstract: A process for preparing a nanocomposite includes combining a resin and silsesquioxane; introducing a curing agent to the resin and silsesquioxane to form a composition; and forming a reaction product of the composition to prepare the nanocomposite, wherein a total amount of the silsesquioxane and curing agent in the composition is from 1 wt % to 70 wt %, based on a weight of the composition. Additionally, a process for preparing an article includes combining an epoxy resin and silsesquioxane; introducing a curing agent to the epoxy resin and silsesquioxane to form a composition; and reacting the epoxy resin, silsesquioxane, and curing agent to form the nanocomposite, wherein a molar ratio of a number of moles of an epoxy functional group of the epoxy resin to the sum of the number of moles of the silsesquioxane and curing agent is from 1:1 to 100:1. An article includes the reaction product of the resin, silsesquioxane, and curing agent.

Abstract: A nanocomposite comprises: a polymer; and a nanofiller disposed in the polymer, the nanofiller comprising a first nanoparticle bonded to a second nanoparticle. A process of making a nanocomposite comprises: combining a silsesquioxane and a nanoparticle; bonding the nanoparticle to the silsesquioxane to make a nanofiller; and dispersing the nanofiller in a polymer to make the nanocomposite.