Mechanism and Performance of SiO2 Nanoparticle Enhanced Carbonated Polymeric Nanofluids for EOR and CO2 Sequestration

This study aimed to examine the effects of SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) on enhanced oil recovery using carbonated polymeric nanofluids. The primary objectives of this study were to reduce interfacial tension (IFT), modify the wettability, and improve the sweep efficiency by adjusting the viscosity of the slug. The most recent development in this field utilizes carbon dioxide dissolved in a slug for EOR, which offers the dual benefits of geological CO2 trapping and decarbonization. This investigation examined the use of SiO2 nanoparticles, which were subsequently evaluated for their microstructural characteristics and particle size distribution. The suitability of the substances for reservoir conditions was determined by assessing their interface and rheological properties under both ambient and high-pressure conditions. Modification of the interfacial and rheological characteristics of the prepared solutions can aid in optimizing the chemical concentration. The integration of nanoparticles into a typical oil field PAM polymer serves as a mobility-modifying agent, resulting in enhanced oil recovery efficiency. The development of water-soluble polymers leads to an increase in the viscosity of water, which makes it easier for carbon dioxide to be absorbed. This was accomplished by reducing the mobility of the gas and delaying its premature release from the solution. By introducing nanoparticles that interact with the polymer chain and create a steric barrier, thereby increasing the CO2 absorption by ~20%, the system can be enhanced. The polymer enhanced the solution stability of the NPs. As the confining pressure increased and NPs were added, the capacity of the solution to absorb CO2 also increased. In brief, the incorporation of carbon dioxide into the polymeric nanofluid led to the acquisition of features that enhanced the collection of oil from the reservoir. The interfacial tension can be reduced from ~47 to ~40 mN/m for PAM and from ~36 to ~31 mN/m by simply introducing SiO2 nanoparticles into the solution. After carbonization, it was further reduced to ~18 mN/m. Using an optimized concentrated carbonated nanofluid for flooding resulted in greater oil output due to the superior oil mobilization of the suspensions compared to PAM and hydrolyzed PAM with nanoparticle combination. This study presents novel insights into the role of SiO2 nanoparticles in enhancing the performance of polymeric nanofluids for CO2 absorption, oil swelling, and oil recovery. The carbonated slug is a cutting-edge technology for the oil and gas industries and is the best option for enhanced oil recovery.