Evaluation and Application of Nanoparticles in Polymer Flooding

Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is the process after primary and secondary oil recovery. One of its chemical methods ispolymer injection that improves viscosity, mobility ratio, and vertical sweep efficiency, especially in the early stage ofwater flooding. Polymer injection challenges are their stability in high temperature and salinity. One of the solutionsfor these challenges is polymers-coated nanoparticles (PNPs) that improve stability, solubility, emulsification, andmobility through porous media. The second application of nanoparticles is their use in polymer gel for improving thecapability of sequential injection and increase the strength of the polymer gel. The aim of the current study is theapplication and evaluation of nanoparticles in polymer and polymer gel flooding for EOR.

Keywords:

Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) , nanoparticles , Polymer flooding