Applications of silica and titanium dioxide nanoparticles in enhanced oil recovery: Promises and challenges

The Surface engineering of nanoparticles has contributed to the development of nanoscience and nanotechnology by designing of new material depends on their surface modifier with series of functional properties and applications. The dispersed nanoparticles can change or modify the interfacial properties in liquid-liquid system in aqueous phase if their surface is modified by ionic surfactant. The interfacial energy in nanoparticles-brine system, the ions tends to modify the transport phenomena in pore channels and improve the recovery. The use of the suspension of the particles at nanoscales can offer some advantages of induced sedimentation stability by surface force easily counter balance the force of gravity. This happened due to their nanosize, nanostructure, high volume to surface ratio and strong rock fluid interaction. It also influences the emulsion stability and alters the surface characteristics of surfactant and polymer within the rock in porous medium. Some of the problems associated with conventional EOR processes have been solved by nanoscience applications due to their potential response to reduce the interfacial tension at low to ultra-low level, wettability reversal and improvement in rheology of formation fluids. The large specific surface area, high reactivity, toughness and other properties of Nanoparticles can immensely improve the oil mobility compare to conventional EOR. This paper updates the latest review, experimental evidences and re-interpretation of past research data and applications in respect of silica and titanium dioxide nanoparticles in different environment within surfactant(s),polymer(s), polymer-surfactant EOR processes. The nanotechnology therefore is an effective and alternate solution to brush up the traditional EOR approach with state of art technology which can revolutionize the total oil and gas industry and can contributes significantly to enhance the economics of oil field industry.