Publication Type
Journal Article
Publication Date (Issue Year)
2025
Journal Name
Petroleum Research
Abstract
Nanoparticles are increasingly used in chemical enhanced oil recovery (CEOR) due to their ability to improve oil recovery by altering reservoir rock and fluid properties. These nanoparticles, which have unique physical and chemical traits, can be synthesized chemically or biologically. Biological synthesis, involving fungi, bacteria, algae, yeast, or plant materials are more stable, efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly. With rising global energy demand and a shift towards greener solutions, the focus has moved from hazardous chemical synthesis to green synthesis for CEOR. Although some research exists on green nanoparticles for oil recovery, a comprehensive review of these studies and the mechanisms (such as wettability alteration, interfacial tension reduction, and stability enhancement) is needed. This paper reviews recent advances in the biosynthesis of nanoparticles and nanocomposites for oil recovery, highlighting successful examples like SiO2/Montmorillonite/Xanthan and Fe3O4/SiO2/Xanthan, which improved recovery by altering wettability, reducing interfacial tension, and enhancing dispersion and thermal stability. The study also notes the preference for plant-based green synthesis over microbial synthesis due to complexity and cost. The findings provide insights into the impact of novel greenly synthesized nanoparticles in CEOR.
Keywords
Enhanced oil recovery, Nanoparticles, Nanocomposites, Wettability, Interfacial tension, Stability
Rsif Scholar Name
Godfrey Osemudiamhen Eseigbe
Thematic Area
Minerals, Mining and Materials Engineering
Africa Host University (AHU)
University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Nigeria
Recommended Citation
Eseigbe, G. O., & Ikiensikimama, S. S. (2025). Application of biosynthesized nanoparticles in chemical enhanced oil recovery: Main mechanisms, recent advances, challenges, and opportunities. Petroleum Research https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptlrs.2025.04.005