Effect of carbon-based and metal-based nanoparticles on enhanced oil recovery: A review

Nanotechnology is deemed to have excellent prospects in various sectors of the oil industries because of its eco-friendliness and affordability. More specifically, it may be employed in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) to increase the production efficiency of mature oil reservoirs. It has been proven that nanomaterials, particularly carbon-based and metal-based nanomaterials, have a considerable potential for promoting oil production efficiency. Microscopic and macroscopic sweep efficiencies are mainly affected by EOR techniques, and nanomaterials are known to be strongly related to these two phenomena. In this study, the effect of carbon-based and metal-based nanomaterials on five nano-EOR mechanisms are reviewed and analyzed. These mechanisms include wettability alteration, oil-water interfacial tension reduction, control of oil, water, and gas viscosities, pore channel plugging, and full asphaltene precipitation postponement and prevention. Finally, the oil recovery factors between water and nanofluid injection to various porous media are derived and compared. In addition, the effects of influencing parameters on each classification are analyzed. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Nanotechnology is considered to have promising prospects in various sectors of the oil industries due to its eco-friendliness and affordability, especially in enhanced oil recovery. Carbon-based and metal-based nanomaterials play a significant role in five nano-EOR mechanisms, affecting parameters influencing each classification are analyzed.