| Abstract |
Nanoparticles have emerged as agents and coagents in the enhanced oil recovery (EOR) domain owing to their versatile capabilities. They can potentially enhance the retrieval of oil trapped within porous media through various mechanisms, including modifying structural disjoining pressure, altering wettability, reducing interfacial tension (IFT), pore-entrapment, and mobility control. In other words, nanoparticles contribute to EOR at macroscopic and microscopic scales. They influence the entire reservoir at the macroscopic scale, primarily by enhancing fluid mobility control. This results in improved overall recovery rates. In contrast, at the microscopic scale, nanoparticles focus on optimizing recovery at the individual pore level, ensuring that oil trapped in the smallest pore spaces is efficiently mobilized. This study undertook a comprehensive effort to delve into the latest research findings related to harnessing nanoparticles to integrate their advancements. The first part of this literature explores the various approaches involving nanoparticles in enhanced oil recovery (EOR), encompassing nanofluids, nanoemulsions, nanocatalysts, and the displacement mechanisms they employ to improve hydrocarbon recovery. Subsequently, the challenges posed by nanoparticles related to their synthesis, stability, and retention within porous media. Additionally, it offers some recommendations for enhancing the stability of nanoparticles. The findings of this investigation underscore the potential of nanoparticle-based fluids in EOR. |
, Sayed M. Saleh 
