Y-TEC: The major company of R&D in Argentina and Its purpose of becoming a regional leader of innovative polymer development for the oil and gas industry

JUAN M GIUSSI; ISABEL VEGA

San Sebastian

Simposio; Reunión del Grupo Especializado de Polímeros GEP de la Real Sociedad Española de Química + Simposio Latinoamericano de Polímeros; 2022

Universidad del Pais Vasco

Y-TEC is the most important Research and Development (R&D) company for the energy industry in Argentina in spite of its youth. It was created in 2013 and the shareholding is made up of 51% by YPF and 49% by CONICET. It combines the operative experience of YPF and the scientific capital of the National Council of Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET). With an innovative model, unique in the region, the combination of YPF, the largest energy company in the country with CONICET, the primary local institution responsible for the promotion of science and technology, Y-TEC is an Innovation company and acts as a bridge between the scientific and productive sectors.The main objective of Y-TEC is applied Research and Development (R&D). It is focused on solving strategic problems and giving industry opportunities, related to the execution of high-impact projects. Y-TEC generates and applies knowledge and offers new technologies and solutions to the market.Y-TEC points at today and tomorrow’s energies: non-conventional energies (Vaca Muerta), mature fields, renewable energies, generating solutions for achieving sustainable industry operations.The company is committed to the country growth by promoting competitiveness and development of the energy sector, thus contributing to the consolidation of a local technological-productive sector framework, and enhancing specialized human resources. Y-TEC counts on professional resources with high technical skills and works in multidisciplinary teams supported by technical staff and researchers with expertise in key disciplines. Its applied research center, located in the city of Berisso, about 60 km from Buenos Aires, is considered state-of-the-art and well-equipped to serve the industry throughout the region.As CONICET is an active shareholder, the company is continually associated with highly-recognized national and international research groups and institutes, entrepreneurs, SMEs and R&D centers of global companies. Y-TEC has an open innovation model that enhances and favors its relationship with technology partners and complements capacities.Y-TEC works with technological transfer models for multiple scenarios. It licenses its technologies with development plans adapted for specific market scenarios with a focus on value capture.Likewise, it provides highly specialized technology services for the whole industry through unique service platforms that give solutions and maintain flexibility and absolute confidentiality.Y-TEC has currently 265 employees, 47 laboratories, 12 pilot plants, and over 1,000 units of equipment in operation. since its creation, it has patented 33 new technologies, launched more than 10 technologies in the market, and entered into over 100 cooperation agreements with local and international scientific systems and private companies. Y-TEC has a current portfolio of more than 50 R&D projects, 12 of which involve the development of polymeric materials. Polymer science, from design, synthesis, characterization, and performance to specific applications occupies a prominent position in the company. The generation of high-impact collaborations, both in the country and abroad, has a central place for the local and regional productive development that Y-TEC keeps in agenda for the next years.The 12 polymer projects which are now being developed at Y-TEC aim to:- develop new additives for unconventional recovery whose innovative chemistry makes it more efficient and friendly to the environment than those currently in use. One of these new technologies has already been tested and validated. Massification is currently taking place. - development of polymers for enhanced oil recovery in mature conventional wells. There are two ongoing projects related to the design and synthesis of polymers to be used in exceedingly hostile conditions of high temperatures, high pressures, and high H2S.- use nanometric inorganic systems stabilized with polymer brushes in oil and gas wells under hostile conditions.- use polymeric materials with high mechanical resistance for drilling operations.- Hydrophilic tracers stable at harsh conditions and with capacity of tracing a great number of layers or wells with bullheading early detection.