Literature Review of Nanotechnology in the Enhanced Oil Recovery.

In recent studies, there has been an increasing focus on Nanoparticles Enhanced Oil Recovery (NPs EOR). NPs EOR is a method that was initially developed to improve microscopic and macroscopic displacement efficiency. In some recent applications, NPs have assisted the conventional EOR methods such as a polymer, surfactant, and Co2 flooding, with the purpose of increasing the oil recovery. In this literature, the abilities to use NPs in EOR are investigated. The function of different types of NPs, different types of Dispersing agents, availability of nanomaterials in the lab, the effect of NPs to change the properties, future challenges and concerns about the NPs, are reviewed. However, the stability of NPs suspensions is still the biggest barrier to use the NPs in EOR. Upcoming studies are necessary to focus on the outcome of the appropriate techniques of NPs to improve their stability under the worst conditions of reservoirs and investigate new types of NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]