MULTIFUNCTIONAL TRACERS FOR ANALYSIS OF OILFIELDS

A new class of multifunctional tracers has been synthesised for use in the oil industry, specifically during waterflooding operations. They are used either in a traditional way (i.e., mapping the connections of oilfield selections) or to provide information on important physical-chemical parameters (such as oil content, temperature and rock permeability) useful for optimizing the oilfield management and subsequent improvement/increase in oil extraction. The multifunctional tracers have a polymer chain having a plurality of units different from one another and recurring along the chain and having respective specific functionalities. The units have at least a first rock-repulsive unit, which is configured to provide an effect of electrostatic repulsion towards rock, and at least a second detectable unit, which is configured to allow detectability of the tracer; and optionally at least a third unit, which is configured to detect a parameter or features of an oilfield, in particular oil saturation and temperature.