Polymer

Adding modified graphene nanoribbons to a polymer and then microwaving the mixture appears to reinforce wellbores drilled to extract oil and natural gas, making wells more stable and reducing production costs, Rice University researchers have discovered.

Adding modified graphene nanoribbons to a polymer and then microwaving the mixture appears to reinforce wellbores drilled to extract oil and natural gas, making wells more stable and reducing production costs, Rice University researchers have discovered.

Alternative fuel vehicle technologies firm Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide plans to expand its manufacturing capacity for lightweight, polymer-lined onboard natural gas vehicle (NGV) fuel storage tanks. The carbon composite tanks used in compressed natural gas-fueled vehicles are needed for increased demand from North American original equipment manufacturers of NGVs, the Lake Forest, CA-based tank maker said. Quantum plans to double its production capacity. It will establish manufacturing lines in a 60,000-square-foot building adjacent to its existing 30,000-square-foot factory.

Halliburton Co. on Thursday disclosed details on the performance of its new hydraulic fracturing (fracking) service, which uses a fluid based on a derivatized natural polymer rather than guar gum.

Oil field services provider Halliburton Co. Monday announced that it will publicly disclose fluids used in hydraulic fracturing (fracking) activities, has set up a website to carry this out, and has introduced a first-of-its-kind ecofriendly fracture fluid system made up of materials sourced entirely from the food industry.