Inclusion of nanoparticles may lead to more durable and effective drilling components, lighter and sturdier offshore platforms and a variety of corrosion-resistant materials, among other benefits. Tungsten-carbide-cobalt composite powder (grain size less than 15nm) is used to make a sintered alloy as hard as diamond, which is in turn used to make cutting tools, drill bits, armor plate, and jet engine parts.

Stable and lightweight membranes could be used to filter impurities from heavy oil and tight gas, as well as in environmental applications. There are particular separation technologies that will be extremely useful - not only for the exploration and production industry, but also for the carbon-capture issues.
Advanced fluid additives

Nano-scale additives might be used in everything from improved drilling fluids to more efficient and environmentally friendly fuels.

The special electrical and magnetic properties of nanomaterials make them well suited for use as injected sensors and contrast agents. Because they can withstand high temperature and pressure, nano-scale sensors could be especially useful for characterizing deep reservoirs.

A thin-film based hybrid electronics fabrication process can be used to produce electronics capable of operating at 225deg.C or higher temperatures for downhole applications where reliable operation at that temperatures is required for directional drilling control electronics and pressure and temperature measurements circuits.