APPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY (EOR)

In modern oil fields, long-term production often causes reservoir pressure depletion and declining oil recovery, highlighting the limits of conventional extraction methods. This has driven growing interest in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technologies designed to improve oil production. Among these, nanotechnology has emerged as a promising and innovative approach for manipulating fluid–rock and fluid–fluid interactions at the microscale within reservoirs. Nanoparticles and nanofluids can significantly enhance oil mobility by altering rock wettability, reducing interfacial tension, and improving sweep efficiency, which leads to higher recovery rates. Their high specific surface area, excellent physicochemical stability, and thermal resistance make them suitable for application in complex reservoir conditions, including high temperature and pressure environments. Moreover, integrating nanotechnology-based approaches with conventional EOR methods—such as polymer flooding, chemical injection, and thermal techniques—can generate synergistic effects that further enhance production performance. Recent research indicates that nanoparticles can also improve reservoir monitoring by acting as tracers to study fluid flow patterns. They can reduce the formation of emulsion blockages and minimize permeability reduction in porous rocks. Some nanofluids are designed to be environmentally friendly, decreasing the reliance on harsh chemical agents. Furthermore, nanotechnology allows for more precise targeting of residual oil in less accessible reservoir zones. These advances make nanotechnology a key component in developing more efficient and sustainable EOR strategies. Keywords: nanotechnology, enhanced oil recovery, nanoparticles, nanofluids, oil fields, reservoir engineering, wettability alteration, improved oil production.