Application of Nanoparticles in Enhanced Oil Recovery: A Critical Review of Recent Progress

Xiaofei Sun, Yanyu Zhang, Guangpeng Chen and Zhiyong Gai
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Xiaofei Sun: College of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China
Yanyu Zhang: College of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China
Guangpeng Chen: College of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China
Zhiyong Gai: College of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China

Energies, 2017, vol. 10, issue 3, 1-33

Abstract: The injected fluids in secondary processes supplement the natural energy present in the reservoir to displace oil. The recovery efficiency mainly depends on the mechanism of pressure maintenance. However, the injected fluids in tertiary or enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes interact with the reservoir rock/oil system. Thus, EOR techniques are receiving substantial attention worldwide as the available oil resources are declining. However, some challenges, such as low sweep efficiency, high costs and potential formation damage, still hinder the further application of these EOR technologies. Current studies on nanoparticles are seen as potential solutions to most of the challenges associated with these traditional EOR techniques. This paper provides an overview of the latest studies about the use of nanoparticles to enhance oil recovery and paves the way for researchers who are interested in the integration of these progresses. The first part of this paper addresses studies about the major EOR mechanisms of nanoparticles used in the forms of nanofluids, nanoemulsions and nanocatalysts, including disjoining pressure, viscosity increase of injection fluids, preventing asphaltene precipitation, wettability alteration and interfacial tension reduction. This part is followed by a review of the most important research regarding various novel nano-assisted EOR methods where nanoparticles are used to target various existing thermal, chemical and gas methods. Finally, this review identifies the challenges and opportunities for future study regarding application of nanoparticles in EOR processes.

Keywords: nanoparticles; enhanced oil recovery (EOR); review study; water flooding; gas injection; thermal methods; chemical flooding (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (16)

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