In 2023, researchers discovered that certain metals—especially platinum and platinum-rich alloys—can self-heal nanoscale cracks. Under a transmission electron microscope (TEM), where the environment is ultra-high vacuum, cracks fused back together through cold- welding–like atomic migration. This was surprising, because self-healing is typically associated with polymers or biological materials, not metals. However, the healing only occurs in vacuum.

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The outbreak of the coronavirus led to a significant decrease in worldwide oil consumption and prices, prompting major oil and gas firms to reduce their spending and postpone project timelines. Firms embarked on digital transformation, asset optimisation, and predictive maintenance, along with net-zero strategies, leveraging financial tools like NPV and IRR for recovery. Technological advancements such as AI, IoT, smart drilling, and modern seismic techniques have enhanced productivity and environmental friendliness. In general, the pandemic hastened technological advancements and sustained long-term economic benefits within the oil and gas sector. The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, is a respiratory illness that spreads through airborne transmission, first detected in 2019......

Keywords — Oil and gas, Covid-19 impact on oil and gas, strategy adaptation, weighted analysis

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