Nanofluid flooding as a method of enhancing oil recovery: mechanism, advantages

Abstract

Relevance. The fact that with the help of modern methods of increasing oil recovery, it is possible to extract no more than 34 % of oil from the initial recoverable reserves. Therefore, modernization of technologies for tertiary impact on the reservoir as one of the possible ways of developing this area is required. It is possible to use nanoparticles in order to increase the oil recovery coefficient by displacing residual and hard-to-recover oil. Technologies with the use of nanoparticles have a number of significant advantages over the already traditional polymer, alkaline and surfactant flooding. Nanofluidic flooding allows increasing the oil recovery coefficient. The paper considers the mechanisms of action of nanoparticles contributing to oil recovery, the relationship of the effectiveness of flooding from the reservoir temperature, pH, water mineralization and wettability of the reservoir rock surface. These mechanisms are required for identifying limitations of the applicability of nanofluids, the possibility of their modification, in order to improve the properties and eliminate the disadvantages of nanofluid flooding. The effect of the chemical nature of nanoparticles, their size, surface charge, isoelectric point and concentration on rock, reservoir fluids and the efficiency of hydrocarbon extraction is considered in detail. Attention is also focused on the latest modern trends in the development of nanofluidic flooding technology. Aim. To conduct a comprehensive analysis of nanofluidic flooding as a method of increasing oil recovery. Objects. Chemical methods of enhancing oil recovery, nanofluidic flooding. Methods. Analysis of current publications on the research topic. Results. The factors influencing the effectiveness of the use of nanofluids as a method of increasing oil recovery and the mechanisms of the impact of nanoparticles on oil reservoirs are formed, promising directions for the development of nanoparticle technology are identified.