Oligonucleotide-containing tracer particles for subterranean applications
A tracer particle includes a silica core and a plurality of polymer-coated oligonucleotides disposed within the silica core, on a surface of the silica core, or a combination thereof. Each of the polymer-coated oligonucleotides comprise a polymer that at least partially surrounds an oligonucleotide.
1. A method, comprising:
adding a plurality of tracer particles into a fluid, wherein each of the plurality of tracer particles comprises:
a silica core; and
a plurality of polymer-coated oligonucleotides disposed within the silica core, on a surface of the silica core, or a combination thereof, wherein each of the polymer-coated oligonucleotides comprises polymers that at least partially surround an oligonucleotide;
after adding the plurality of tracer particles into the fluid, introducing the fluid into a subterranean formation; and
after introducing the fluid into the subterranean formation, detecting a presence of the plurality of tracer particles.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting the presence of the plurality of tracer particles comprises detecting the presence of the plurality of tracer particles within the subterranean formation.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein detecting the presence of the plurality of tracer particles comprises detecting the presence using a magnetic sensor.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein detecting the presence of the plurality of tracer particles comprises detecting the presence via an optical sensor.
5. The method of claim 1 , comprising:
collecting a sample from the subterranean formation, the sample comprising at least a portion of the plurality of tracer particles; and
isolating the portion of the plurality of tracer particles from the sample.
6. The method of claim 5 , comprising:
isolating oligonucleotides from the portion of the plurality of tracer particles; and
identifying the oligonucleotides.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein identifying the oligonucleotides comprises sequencing the oligonucleotides or a portion thereof.
8. The method of claim 5 , comprising determining a flow of subsurface fluids within the subterranean formation based on identifying the oligonucleotides.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid comprises a fracking fluid.