UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND ENERGY STUDIES, DEHRADUN

A project Mid-review (Minor-1) report

Application of Nanofluids in Enhanced Oil Recovery

submitted in partial fulfilment of the

requirement for the degree of

BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY
in
APPLIED PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

with specialization in Upstream (Semester-V)

By Team No: _10_
S.No. Student Name Roll No. Sap ID
1 Abhay Dixit R870219002 500075328

2 Akshat Gaba R870219014 500076564

3 Anany Dixit R870219022 500076078

4 Aviral Srivastava R870219040 500075229

5 Bhavya Arora R870219045 500075928

Under the Guidance of

Mentor

Dr. Gaurav Pandey

Assistant Professor

Department of Petroleum Engineering & Earth Sciences

School of Engineering (SOE)
UPES
Dehradun – 248 007

October 2021
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.Table of Content…………………………………………………………………2

2.Introduction……………………………………………………………………….2

2.1 Table 1- Summary on experimental studies about wettability alteration by Nano fluids

3.Objectives…………………………………………………………………………6

3.1 Flowchart 1. Methodologies adopted………………………………………6

4.Methodologies……………………………………………………………………6

5.Data Interpretation……………………………………………………………….6

6.Conclusion………………………………………………………………………..9

7.Timelines Achieved till Mid Review…………………………………………….9

8.References………………………………………………………………………

TITLE OF THE PROJECT

Applications of Nano fluids in Enhanced Oil Recovery.

1. INTRODUCTION

Only 18-20 percent of the original oil in place can be extracted using traditional oil recovery
technologies (OOIP). Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is a method of obtaining more crude oil
from oil reservoirs with a recovery factor of 30-60% (Torsæter et al.,2021). Although EOR is
a viable option for recovering extra oil, it has a number of disadvantages, including chemical
degradation (polymer sand surfactants) under reservoir conditions, a huge volume of
chemicals, and a high cost. Thus, due to its unique qualities such as wettability change,
improved mobility of trapped oil, improving sand consolidation, and lowering of interfacial
tension (IFT), Nanotechnology is both appealing and demanding in the petroleum industry to
improve oil recovery (Udoh et al.,2021; Rezvani et al., 2020).

More than half of the in-place oil is still trapped in the reservoir after primary and secondary
oil recovery (Aljabri et al., 2021). As a result, tertiary recovery, also known as enhanced oil
recovery (EOR), is a method for enhancing oil production that combines chemical flooding,
thermal flooding, and miscible flooding. The upstream oil and gas industry might benefit
greatly from advancements in the nanotechnology field based on techniques that put
equipment materials to difficult operating conditions (Boul, and Ajayan, 2020).

The production rate of hydrocarbons of most of the oil fields present will enter the decline
period (Davidson et al., 2014). Hence, the main aim is to delay the abandonment by
extracting more hydrocarbons economically and we can optimize the production and counter
the problem with the help of Nano fluids. Nano fluid is defined as a nanoparticle that has an
average size of 100 nm suspended in fluid such as water, oil or ethylene glycol and at this
size range, surface effects and quantum effects are the two primary factors that make
nanomaterials different from macro and micro materials. Nano fluid is effective in enhancing
oil recovery through various methods such as microbial, thermal processes, gas, and
chemicals (Das et al., 2008). Nano Particle (NPs) are tiny materials having size ranges from 1
to 100nm and hence they are excellent tools when used as contrast agents and sensors in
different formations. Metallic coatings made of nanoscale silica, zinc, and zinc-nickel show
superior performance in corrosion protection in the oil and gas industry (Zhe et al., 2018). A
significant role in oil displacement efficiency is played by fluids (Nares et al., 2007; Wu et
al., 2008). The experimental results of many papers tell us that Nano fluid can improve or
increase oil recovery although the values of EOR are dependent on the properties of the Nano
fluids such as the size, concentration, material types of the nanoparticle for ex., Hu et al.
stated that (2016) outlined a remarkable 31.4% increase of oil recovery at breakthrough.
Many mechanisms have been proposed by different researchers for Nano fluid EOR (Wasan
et al., 2011; Torsater et al., 2013a, 2013b). These mechanisms includes the following: (1)
wettability alteration to more water wet, (2) reduction in Interfacial surface Tension (IFT) of
oil/water systems, (3) change in disjoining pressure, (4) increase in the viscosity of aqueous
solution, (5) decrease in oil viscosity, (6) climbing film and slug-like displacement (Luo et
al., 2016), (7) log-jamming: nanoparticles block some pores and then force oil to be produced
from adjunct pores where it was previously trapped, (8) combination of different
mechanisms, etc. This project highlights the different applications of nanoparticles . in
enhancing related parameters to enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Applications of various
nanoparticles used in Enhanced oil recovery.

In 1974, Norio introduced the term “Nanotechnology” in oil and gas industry where he
defined the production technology to attain high accuracy and ultra-fine dimensions i.e., the
preciseness of the order of 1 nm, Due to the fact that two-thirds of the oil in place is left
behind after the primary and secondary recovery, and based on the significant increase
observed in oil recovery using enhanced oil recovery techniques (EOR), which includes
chemical injection, thermal recovery, and gas injection, a good number of researches have
been conducted to improve the different EOR techniques by the addition of
nanoparticles(Abbas et al.,2020).

A few papers have reviewed the nanotechnology for EOR (Ayatollahi and Zerafat, 2012;
Friedheim et al., 2012; Bennetzen and Mogensen, 2014; ShamsiJazeyi et al., 2014; Negin et
al., 2016; Cheraghian and Hendraningrat, 2016a, 2016b; Idogun et al., 2016; Sun et al.,
2017). Ayatollahi and Zerafat (2012) briefed the new findings from various different
theoretical, analytical and experimental works which proved the efficiency of conventional
methods when collaborated with nanotechnology. They recommended that Interfacial
Tension (IFT) decrease, wettability change and fine fixation by nanotechnology are more
relevant than Nano sensors, Nano catalysts and Nano filtration for a present moment.
Friedheim et al. (2012) summarized the literature on the application of nanotechnology in
shale stabilization, high-temperature tolerance and viscosity modification. They additionally
examined the outcomes from projects that used graphene just as graphene subsidiaries,
Carbon Nanotubes (CNT), Nano silica and other Nano chemistries to accomplish and
upgrade the performance of drilling fluids.

The percentage of the conducted investigations of nanoparticles across the oil and gas
industry, Fig.1 shows that nanoparticles have attracted researchers in EOR, drilling, and
cementing applications. However, the application of nanoparticles for stimulation
applications is still not as high as the other applications.
 Fig 1. Targeted property of improvement by means of Nanoparticles. (Abbas et al,2020)

Figure.2. shows the highest targeted property for improvement by means of nanoparticles. It
can be clearly seen that nanoparticles have been investigated heavily to study their effect on
increasing the oil recovery, which falls down under EOR applications

Fig 2. Targeted property of improvement by means of Nanoparticles. (Abbas et al,2020)

Table 1. Summary on experimental studies about wettability alteration by Nano fluids.

(Xiaofei Sun et al., 2017)

Oil Properties
NPs/Base Incremental Oil
Oil Type Parameters
Fluids Density Viscosity Recovery (%)
(kg/m3) (cp)

SiO2 (8.74–13.88)
SiO2, Medium NP type and
851 75 Al2O3 (−8.12–
Al2O3/brine crude oil concentration
−4.65)

SiO2/brine Light oil 826 5.1 Permeability, 5.93–14.29

 NP
concentration,
PV

CuO, Fe2O3 (8.19)

Medium
NiO, 887 47.9 NP type NiO (7.59)
crude oil
Fe2O3/brine CuO (14.07)

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT

To analyse the research data, technological advancements and the various factors
involved in EOR using Nano fluids.

3. METHODOLOGIES ADOPTED

4. DATA INTERPRETATION

Figure 4.a Targeted property of improvement by means of Nanoparticles. (Abbas et al,2020)

 Drilling fluids can be simply defined as a heavy viscous fluid mixture that is used
during the drilling stage in order to perform different tasks including lifting the
drilled cuttings, controlling the formation pressure, maintaining wellbore stability,
etc. Table 4.1 provide us with the properties being improved of the drilling fluids
with the use of nanoparticles.
 Targeted property of improvement by means of Nanoparticles. (Abbas et al,2020)

Table 4.1 Application of nanoparticles for drilling fluids.

Nanoparticles used Output References

Aluminium oxide
Improving rheological properties Alsaba et al. (2018)
Copper oxide
Improving filtration characteristics.
Magnesium oxide

Plug nanopores in shale Kumar et al. (2018)

Copper oxide
Improving hole stability.

Improving rheological properties

CNT–polymer Improving wellbore stability
Hafiz et al. (2018)
nanocomposite Improving filtration characteristics
for HPHT drilling application.

Mahmoud et al.
Iron oxide Improving filtration characteristics.
(2018)

 Well

cementing can be defined as the process of mixing and pumping cement slurry
downhole in the annuls and allowing it to cure and bond between the formation and
the casing, is a crucial element in well construction. Table below provide us with the
properties of cementing fluid being improved through the help of investigated
nanoparticles.
 Nanoparticles used Output References

Increasing the electrical resistivity

Enhancing the compressive Vipulanandan et al.
Aluminium oxide
strength. (2018)

Accelerating the setting time Jafariesfad et al.

Magnesium oxide Reducing chemical shrinkage. (2016)

Silicon dioxide Accelerating the setting time Pang et al. (2014)

Enhancing the compressive
strength.

 Well stimulation can be defined as treatments used to enhance the well productivity
either by hydraulic fracturing and matrix acidizing to increase the permeability or by
increasing the well production. Few investigations showed an improvement in the
well stimulation jobs by means of nontechnology. The targeted properties included
filtration and rheological properties of the fracturing and acidizing fluid. Table 4.3
provide us with the application of some nanoparticles that can be used for the well
simulation application and the improvement they can provide.

Nanoparticles used Outputs References

Magnesium oxide Improving the rheological Nasr-El-Din et al. (2013)

Zinc oxide  properties of fracturing
fluid

Silicon dioxide Improving the filtration Fakoya and Shah (2018)

characteristic
Improving the rheological
properties of surfactant-
based fluids for hydraulic
fracturing applications

 Enhanced oil recovery applications- Table 4.4 shows a summary of the recent

investigations on the application of nanoparticles to enhance EOR techniques along
with the targeted parameters and the investigated nanoparticles. The main objective
of these investigations is to study the effect of nanoparticles in improving oil
recovery by improving one of the parameters related to oil recovery.

Nanoparticles used
Output References
 Reducing oil viscosity
Aluminium oxide Improving the stability of the Hogeweg et al.
Titanium dioxide injected water for EOR (2018)
application

Graphene oxide Reducing oil viscosity Elshawaf (2018)

Enhancing oil recovery at low

concentration
Nickel oxide/silicon
Reducing formation damage Giraldo (2018)
dioxide nanoparticles
Reducing interfacial tension,
hence increasing oil recovery

Polymer-coated Improving mobility control, ShamsiJazeyi et al.

nanoparticle altering surface wettability (2014)

5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The use of Nano fluid in Enhanced oil recovery can be the new future. This detailed review
of literature can be helpful in changing the course of EOR in the industry. As per research
perspective, there are as yet many variables that yet have not been found or are being
considered for. Hence, this research of ours brings out multiple variables of such type in light
and may give us a more efficient crude oil extraction.

6. CONCLUSION
This project is a complete guide to understand all the EOR methods, Nano fluids and how
Nano fluids are useful in enhancing oil recovery. Some of the major learning from this
project are: -

 Enhanced oil recovery methods introduction and usage.

 Nano fluid introduction, Types of Nano fluids, Properties of Nano fluids.
 Various Applications of Nano fluids used in Enhanced Oil Recovery.
 Advantages and disadvantages of Nano fluids EOR technology.
 Future of Nano fluids in EOR technology.

7. TIMELINES ACHIEVED TILL MID REVIEW

Work to be completed Responsibilities Percentage Of Remark

Month,
completed s
 Year work

September, Reviewing the literature

All the members will
survey and collecting 25
2021 take part in this.
related data.

All the members will

October, Collective approach of present their ideas
our perspective by and we will
2021 50
reviewing the above- collectively form a
mentioned literature. theoretical research
paper.

8. REFERENCES

Alsaba, M.T., Al Dushaishi, M.F. & Abbas, A.K., 2020. A comprehensive review of
nanoparticles applications in the oil and gas industry. J Petrol Explore Prod
Technol 10, 1389–1399.

Amanullah, Md, Al-Tahini, A.M., 2009. Nano-Technology —- Its Significance in Smart

Fluid Development for Oil and Gas Field Application// SPE 126102

Elshawaf M (2018a) Investigation of Graphene oxide nanoparticles effect on heavy oil

viscosity. In: SPE annual technical conference and exhibition

Fakoya MF, Shah SN (2018) Effect of silica nanoparticles on the rheological properties
and filtration performance of surfactant-based and polymeric fracturing fluids and their
blends. SPE Drill Complet 33(02):100–114.

Fletcher, A.J.P., Davis, J.P., 2010. How EOR Can Be Transformed by

Nanotechnology//SPE129531

Gruyter, 2018, Nanotechnology for the oil and gas industry – an overview of recent
progress,
Giraldo LJ (2018) Janus nanoparticles for enhanced oil recovery EOR: Reduction of
Interfacial Tension. In: SPE annual technical conference and exhibition
Hadi ShamsiJazeyi,Clarence A. Miller, 06 March 2014, Polymer-coated nanoparticles for
enhanced oil recovery
Hafiz A, Kamal M, Al-Harthi M, Elkatatny S, Murtaza M (2018) Synthesis and
experimental investigation of novel CNT-polymer nanocomposite to enhance borehole
stability at high temperature drilling applications
Hogeweg AS, Hincapie RE, Foedisch H, Ganzer L (2018) Evaluation of aluminium oxide
and titanium dioxide nanoparticles for EOR applications. In: SPE Europec featured at
80th EAGE conference and exhibition

Ijeomah, G & Samsuri, Fahmi & Obite, Felix & Md Zawawi, Mohamad.,2018.
Application of Nanotechnology in Oil and Gas Industry// 2462-1269.

Jafariesfad N, Gong Y, Geiker MR, Skalle P (2016) Nano-sized MgO with engineered
expansive property for oil well cement systems.
Kewen Li, Dan Wang, Shanshan Jiang., 2018. Review on enhanced oil recovery by
nanofluids. Oil & Gas Science and Technology - Revue d’IFP Energies nouvelles, Institut
Français du Pétrole, ,73, pp.37.
Kostic, M.M., Choi, S.U.S., 2006. Cristial issues and application potentials in
nanofluidsresearch. Proceedings of MN2006 Multifunctional Nanocomposites.
Kumar N, Kumar A, Kumar S (2018) Effect of synthesized AMPS-g-clay/CuO
nanocomposite on WBDFS for challenging formations. In: IADC/SPE Asia Pacific
drilling technology conference and exhibition
Mahmoud O, Nasr-El-Din HA, Vryzas Z, Kelessidis V (2018) Effect of ferric oxide
nanoparticles on the properties of filter cake formed by calcium bentonite-based drilling
muds
Muili Feyisitan,Fakoya,Subhash Nandlal Shah, 2017. Emergence of nanotechnology in
the oil and gas industry: Emphasis on the application of silica nanoparticles
Munshi, A.M., Singh, V.N., Mukesh, Kumar, Singha, J.P., 2008. Effect of nanoparticle
size on sessile droplet contact angle. J. Appl. Phys. 103, 084315
Nasr-El-Din HA, Gurluk MR, Crews JB (2013) Enhancing the performance of
viscoelastic surfactant fluids using nanoparticles. In: EAGE annual conference and
exhibition incorporating SPE Europec
Pang X, Boul PJ, Cuello Jimenez W (2014) Nanosilicas as accelerators in oilwell
cementing at low temperatures. SPE Drill Complet 29(1):98–105.
Vipulanandan C, Mohammed A, Samuel RG (2018b) Fluid loss control in smart bentonite
drilling mud modified with nanoclay and quantified with Vipulanandan fluid loss model.
In: Offshore technology conference, 30 April–3 May, Houston, Texas, USA.
Yang J, Ji S, Li R, Qin W, Lu Y., 2015 Advances of Nanotechnologies in Oil and Gas
Industries. Energy Exploration & Exploitation.;33(5):639-657.
9. PERIODIC DISCUSSION WITH MENTOR AND REMARK SHEET

Periodic Discussion Mentor’s Remark

There were weekly discussions held
between the team members and the
mentor.
We also presented our work report for
corrections to our mentor on a weekly
basis.

10. REPORT OF PLAGIARISM

a. Report will not accepted without the plagiarism statement. Request to mentors to check this report
before signing.