The focus of the intended research programme will be to establish instrumental methods of analysis for residual corrosion inhibitors in produced fluids and in particular oils. Advanced mass spectrometric and high resolution separation techniques such as FT-ICR MS, GC-MS, UHPLC-MS and MS/MS, and SFC-MS will be employed to determine the optimum conditions for effective analysis. In particular, the effect of matrix interferences in complex petroleum systems such as heavy oils and high salinity produced waters will be investigated, with a view to establishing routine, accurate and sensitive assays of target chemistry, in both oils and waters.
As well as the targeted compounds, other novel, unidentified species are expected to be found. These will be identified and their genesis investigated together with any adverse properties that these materials may exhibit.
Novel sampling and ionisation technologies such as high-field asymmetric-waveform ion-mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) and desorption electrospray ionisation (DESI) may also be investigated where appropriate to extend the utility of the developed instrumental techniques to other types of sample matrices (e.g. solids, liquid headspaces, metallic surfaces, etc.).
A three year ESPRC/BP funded studentship, under the supervision of Dr G Langley, is available to study âAdvanced Instrumental Methods for the Determination of Chemical Additives in Oilfield Fluidsâ.
Applicants should have, or expect to have a good undergraduate degree in Chemistry or equivalent qualification in a relevant area of science. A strong interest and experience in analytical chemistry is required and knowledge of mass spectrometry, chromatography and statistics is desirable.
Due to Funding Council restrictions, this position is only available to UK applicants.
The position will be available from 1st October 2013.
Administrative contact and how to apply:
Please complete the University’s online application form, which you can find at: https://studentrecords.soton.ac.uk/BNNRPROD/bzsksrch.P_Search
Please direct any enquiries about this procedure to pgafnes@soton.ac.uk
Closing Date: Â Saturday 31 August 2013