Nanoparticle-Assisted Surfactant/Polymer Formulations for Enhanced Oil Recovery in Sandstone Reservoirs: From Molecular Interaction to Field Application

Abstract

There has been some success with polymer and surfactant injections into depleted sandstone reservoirs for reducing residual oil saturation and improving oil recovery. However, their microemulsion stability is compromised in the harsh conditions of high temperature and salinity. Nanoparticle addition to the polymers and surfactant has resulted in a nanofluid with more stability, improved rheological behaviors, reduced adsorption loss, and much more as a result of the synergistic effects of their components. In this work, the performance of polymeric and surfactant nanofluids and the factors that impair their efficacy were highlighted. Numerous surfactant adsorption mechanisms, such as ion pairing, ion exchange, hydrogen bonds, dipole interactions, and hydrophobic interactions, on the rock surface were illustrated. Synergistic interactions of ternary phases of surfactant, polymer, and nanoparticles to the interfacial tension reduction, wettability alteration, adsorption reduction, rheological enhancement, and nanofluid stability for enhanced oil recovery were also presented. Additionally, the prevailing challenges and their plausible interventions have been highlighted in this review. The summarized results from published papers based on experimental evidence and theoretical deductions presented in this review will uplift the understanding of the screening, designing, and formulation of nanofluids.

Comprehensive Review and Perspectives of CO2 Hydrate Storage in Subseafloor Saline Sediments: Formation, Stability, and Optimization Strategies

“…NPs reveal higher reactivity than their bulk materials due to their reduced particle size, typically ranging from 1 to 100 nm, and increased surface-to-volume ratio . NPs, particularly those with high surface area and tailored surface chemistry, such as functionalized graphene nanosheets, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), or porous silica nanoparticles, tend to interact with CO 2 molecules during the CO 2 hydrate formation. , At the molecular level, NPs’ surfaces, often modified with specific functional groups, possess an inherent affinity for CO 2 molecules.…”

“…The technological readiness of nanoparticle-assisted surfactant–polymer formulations for practical application in CO 2 hydrate storage projects has seen promising developments. These formulations have been successfully applied in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes due to their ability to reduce interfacial tension (IFT), improve emulsion stability, and alter wettability under a range of environmental conditions, including high temperature and salinity. , The added NPs enhance the stability of these formulations, making them more resilient to the harsh conditions encountered in subseafloor saline sediments . This improvement in stability and performance underscores a critical step toward the practical application of these technologies in CO 2 hydrate storage projects, suggesting a moderate level of technological readiness.…”

TiO2/Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate/Xanthan Gum Nanofluid: A Promising Candidate for Enhanced Oil Recovery

“…The combination of the nanoparticle, surfactant, and polymer used in chemical flooding has been found to be most effective in chemical EOR. 51 Al-Asadi et al 52 investigated the use of Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles with surface-active ionic liquids for EOR. The addition of nanoparticles and polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) to the surfactant formulation increased its viscosity, reduced water−oil IFT, and reduced adsorption on carbonate rocks.…”

“…The combination of the nanoparticle, surfactant, and polymer used in chemical flooding has been found to be most effective in chemical EOR . Al-Asadi et al investigated the use of Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles with surface-active ionic liquids for EOR.…”