The Venezuelan Institute of Scientific Research (IVIC), a government agency, is experimenting with the addition of diminutive particles – in this case, mineral salts such as iron, cobalt and nickel nitrate – to decrease the greenhouse gas emissions that are characteristic of the oil industry. The hydrocarbons sector is experimenting with nanotechnology around the world, “but the innovation at IVIC is that we are trying to produce a technology adapted to the specific conditions and needs of oil-related activities in Venezuela, from the production of crude oil and its refining with high levels of coke residues to its use in automobiles,” researcher Sarah Briceño told Tierramérica.

Although the results will not be presented until next year, “in laboratory conditions it is possible to foresee the feasibility of this technology,” said Briceño, who is directing the study.

One of the goals of this research is for Venezuela, which is responsible for 0.4 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, to cut its share of emissions in half.