Use of nanoparticles to improve thermochemical resistance of synthetic polymer to enhanced oil recovery applications: a review

Abstract

Partially Hydrolyzed Polyacrylamide (HPAM) is the polymer most used in chemical enhanced oil recovery (cEOR) processes and it has been implemented in several field projects worldwide. Polymer injection has shown to be an effective EOR process. However, it has not been implemented massively due to HPAM polymer's limitations, mostly related to thermal and chemical degradation caused by exposure at high temperatures and salinities (HTHS). As an alternative, a new generation of chemically stable monomers to improve the properties of HPAM has been assessed at laboratory and field conditions. However, the use of enhanced polymers is limited due to its larger molecular size, large-scale production, and higher costs.
 One of the alternatives proposed in the last decade to improve polymer properties is the use of nanoparticles, which due to their ultra-small size, large surface area, and highly reactive capacity, can contribute to reduce or avoid the degrading processes of HPAM polymers. Nanoparticles (NPs) can be integrated with the polymer in several ways, it being worth to highlight mixing with the polymer in aqueous solution or inclusion by grafting or chemical functionalization on the nanoparticle surface. This review focuses on hybrid nanomaterials based on SiO2 NPs and synthetic polymers with great EOR potential. The synthesis process, characterization, and the main properties for application in EOR processes, were reviewed and analyzed.
 Nanohybrids based on polymers and silica nanoparticles show promising results in improving viscosity and thermal stability compared to the HPAM polymer precursor. Furthermore, based on recent findings, there are great opportunities to implement polymer nanofluids in cEOR projects. This approach could be of value to optimize the technical-economic feasibility of projects by reducing the polymer concentration of using reasonable amounts of nanoparticles. However, more significant efforts are required to understand the impact of nanoparticle concentrations and injection rates to support the upscaling of this cEOR technology.

Research on the Functional Microbe Activation System in a Post-Polymer Flooded Reservoir

“…The culture medium was collected at different time points (1,2,4,6, and 8 days) under sterile conditions. Subsequently, the collected medium was centrifuged at 1000 rpm and 4 • C for 10 min.…”

“…The globally increasing demand for crude oil has prompted the oil industry to enhance oil production from primary, secondary, and tertiary recovery methods to fulfill the global requirement. Among the most mature, effective, and successful chemical-enhanced oil recovery (CEOR) methods is polymer flooding [1][2][3], which involves the injection of a polymer solution into the reservoir with a suitable concentration to diminish the mobility ratio of the water-oil system (M) as much as possible, and hence increase the sweep efficiency [4][5][6][7]. However, frequent injections of polymers create more extensive pore paths, resulting in the quick movement of injection fluid out of the oil-bearing strata.…”

Synthesis and Characterization of New Nanohybrids Based on Carboxymethyl Scleroglucan and Silica Nanoparticles

“…Nanopolymer flooding has gained attention in the last decade because nanoparticles (NPs) can improve polymers’ thermal, chemical, and mechanical stability [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. In addition, NPs have shown the ability to enhance oil recovery by changing the wettability of porous media and reducing the oil–water interfacial tension [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ].…”

Enhancing Polymer Flooding Efficiency in a Sandstone Oilfield in Kazakhstan through Silica Nanoparticle-Based Control of Polymer Adsorption

“…16 Application of magnetic, organic, and inorganic NPs is also reported. 21 The selection of certain types depends upon multiple factors, including particle size and shape, surface charge, polymer concentration, ionic strength of the solution, pH, and temperature. Some recent studies have demonstrated the application of amphiphilic graphene oxide and functionalized silica nanofluids for EOR.…”

“…Different metal oxide NPs have been demonstrated to lessen polymer adsorption onto rock surfaces in oil reservoirs, including aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ), zirconium dioxide (ZrO 2 ), titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ), silica (SiO 2 ), magnesium oxide (MgO), and iron oxide (Fe 2 O 3 ) NPs . Application of magnetic, organic, and inorganic NPs is also reported . The selection of certain types depends upon multiple factors, including particle size and shape, surface charge, polymer concentration, ionic strength of the solution, pH, and temperature.…”