Journal of Southwest Petroleum University(Science & Technology Edition) ›› 2024, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (1): 64-75.DOI: 10.11885/j.issn.1674-5086.2022.06.13.02

• OIL AND GAS ENGINEERING • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Research Progress on Functionalization Nanocarbons for Enhanced Oil Recovery

LIU Rui1,2, CHEN Zezhou2, GAO Shi3, PU Wanfen1,2,4, DU Daijun2   

  1. 1. National Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, China;
    2. Petroleum Engineering School, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, China;
    3. Oil Production Technology Research Institute, Dagang Oilfield Company, PetroChina, Binhai New Area, Tianjin 300280, China;
    4. Department of Petroleum Engineering, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russia
  • Received:2022-06-13 Published:2024-02-01

Abstract: Owing to their amphiphilic, and high aspect ratio, functionalization nanocarbons display multifaceted properties of surfactant, molecular film, colloid, liquid crystal molecule and polymer, stimulating their unique advantages and application potential application in enhanced oil recovery. This paper summarizes the common and unique characteristics of the structures and properties of the nanocarbons composing of 1D carbon nanotube and 2D graphene, the preparation methods, and their functionalization routes. The lipophilic-hydrophilic tailoring modification for nanocarbons on harsh reservoir temperature and salinity is proposed. Guided by the universal problem of low sweep efficiency and low micro-displacement efficiency of water flooding reservoirs, the absorption and self-assembly mechanisms of functionalization nanocarbons at water/oil and water/rock interfaces are analyzed, and multi-dimensional characterizations and information-based physical simulations of functionalization nanocarbons are summarized. Based on the nano-scale molecular and cross-scale characteristics and water/oil/rock interface effects, the coupled enhanced oil recovery mechanisms of functionalization nanocarbons on enhancing sweep volume and improving displacement efficiency are elucidated. The papers ends with a critical and perspective outline on the existing problems in the large-scale application of functionalization nanocarbons and their route to the low-carbon cost for enhanced oil recovery.

Key words: nanocarbon, functionalization route, interfacial self-assembly, characterization, physical simulation, enhanced oil recovery

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