Research progress and prospect of silica-based polymer nanofluids in enhanced oil recovery

Abstract

In recent years, silica-based polymer nanofluids (NFs) have attracted more and more attention because they can enhance temperature and salt tolerance. This study summarized the research progress and prospects of silica-based polymer NFs in enhanced oil recovery (EOR). First, the synthesis method and the effect on silica-based polymer NFs were studied. Research progress in rheology, wettability, viscoelasticity, interfacial tension, adsorption, porous media flow, and emulsion stability were reviewed, and the mechanism for EOR was expounded. Then, the mechanical properties of silica-based polymer NFs and the interaction between silica and polymer were discussed by molecular dynamics simulation. And the progress of research on macroscopic reservoir simulation was explored. Finally, the related auxiliary technologies were introduced, and future research directions were put forward. The results of this study will help researchers better understand the mechanism and research progress of silica-based polymer NFs in EOR.

Keywords

• enhanced oil recovery
• silica-based polymer nanofluids
• molecular dynamics simulation
• synthesis