Core/Shell Quantum Dots: Highly Stable and Tunable Tracers for Oil Reservoir Applications

Abstract Monitoring fluid behavior and interactions within petroleum reservoirs relies heavily on effective tracer technologies. However, conventional tracers, including certain nanomaterials like carbon dots, often present challenges such as inflexible emissive characteristics and insufficient stability under the demanding conditions typical of oil reservoirs. This paper introduces an innovative core/shell quantum dot (QD) system designed to overcome these limitations. The developed QDs offer the potential for tunable emission and demonstrate exceptional stability across a range of rigorous experimental conditions. These nanomaterials are synthesized with relative ease and exhibit significant resilience when exposed to water, saline solutions (e.g. NaCl), and diverse crude oil compositions. Critically, their fluorescent emission properties show minimal alteration when subjected to variations in pressure and temperature. This new class of QDs signifies a substantial advancement in tracer technology, offering exceptionally stable and potentially customizable emissive agents for oilfield applications. They possess considerable potential for identifying fluid sources and investigating chemical and physical transformations during upstream oil and gas operations, thereby contributing to enhanced reservoir management and monitoring strategies.