A revolution in the oil industry thanks to smart molecules

The oil industry operates in extreme conditions: high salinity, elevated temperatures, and constant risk of corrosion. Today’s challenges require innovative solutions that simultaneously increase oil production, protect equipment, and improve transportation.

Our research published in Molecules shows that cationic Gemini surfactants (GEMSUR) can meet all these requirements. Thanks to intelligent molecular design, they offer multifunctionality that is changing the way raw materials are extracted and transported.

• Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) – GEMSUR reduces interfacial tension to ultra-low levels, mobilizing trapped oil in deposits inaccessible to traditional agents, which significantly improves process efficiency and increases the amount of recovered raw material.
• Equipment protection and system integrity – GEMSUR molecules act as a comprehensive protection system, inhibiting electrochemical corrosion and limiting microbiologically induced corrosion (MIC). As a result, transport infrastructure and production equipment are more resistant to degradation and failure.
• Oil transport optimization – these surfactants serve a dual role as drag reduction agents (DRAs) and flow improvers, enabling smoother and more stable oil transport in harsh conditions of high salinity and high temperatures. Reducing flow resistance and limiting waxing improves pipeline efficiency.

Thanks to GEMSUR, it is possible to create more efficient, resilient, and environmentally friendly energy production—from extraction, through equipment protection, to raw material transportation.

We invite you to read the full publication in Molecules to learn the detailed results of our research.