Nanoparticles for the Transport of Fluids in Porous Media

Abstract

Fluid transport can be improved by nanoparticles when they help stimulate a reservoir's rheological properties, which involve flow, viscosity, and permeability, among other parameters. First, this work reviews the literature regarding nanotechnology in the oil and gas sector. Then, it examines a few potential nanoparticle applications that have shown varying degrees of potential to improve colloid transport mechanisms in porous media. This list includes, but is not limited to, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, silver, silicon dioxide, pyroelectric nanoparticles, and carbon nanotubes, all of which help stimulate a reservoir, which in turn leads to better fluid transport and an enhanced rate of recovery. The authors find that, compared to a baseline scenario that applies no nanotechnology, silicon dioxide, also known as silica, offers interesting advantages when used in laboratory settings. For example, in the case of low permeability limestones, silica helped transport fluids through the fractured rock at a better rate than without nanoparticles. Similarly, aluminum oxide shows the potential to improve rheological and filtration features inside a reservoir, stabilizing the flow of material from a well. Despite the high promise, however, it is still an early stage for field applications, where only a few trials for the use of nanoparticles have been experimented with, especially in porous media. Nanotechnology has become a favorite topic of research across many disciplines. This work is one of the first to offer a comprehensive look at the literature on nanoparticles in the oil and gas industry while also reviewing the applications of different ultrafine elements and their potential for future research endeavors in reservoir optimization and fluid transport in porous media.