Enhanced Oil Recovery Techniques Using Nanotechnology in Mature Oil Fields

Thesis Abstract

Abstract
The oil and gas industry plays a crucial role in meeting global energy demands, with a significant portion of oil production coming from mature oil fields. However, the extraction of oil from these mature fields often faces challenges due to decreasing reservoir pressure and the presence of trapped oil. Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) techniques offer a promising solution to maximize oil production from these fields. In recent years, nanotechnology has emerged as a cutting-edge approach in the field of EOR, offering the potential to enhance oil recovery efficiency through the manipulation of fluid properties at the nanoscale. This thesis investigates the application of nanotechnology in enhancing oil recovery in mature oil fields. The study begins with a comprehensive review of the existing literature on EOR techniques, focusing on the principles and mechanisms of conventional EOR methods and the recent advancements in nanotechnology-based EOR. The literature review also explores the challenges associated with EOR in mature oil fields and highlights the potential of nanotechnology to address these challenges. The research methodology employed in this study involves a combination of experimental studies and numerical simulations to evaluate the effectiveness of nanotechnology-based EOR techniques in mature oil fields. The experimental studies involve the synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles suitable for use in EOR applications, as well as laboratory-scale tests to assess the impact of these nanoparticles on oil recovery efficiency. The numerical simulations utilize reservoir modeling techniques to simulate the behavior of nanofluids in porous media and predict their performance in enhancing oil recovery. The findings of this study reveal that nanotechnology-based EOR techniques have the potential to significantly improve oil recovery efficiency in mature oil fields. The experimental results demonstrate that the use of nanoparticles can alter the wettability of reservoir rocks, reduce interfacial tension, and improve sweep efficiency, leading to enhanced oil recovery. The numerical simulations further validate these experimental findings and provide insights into the mechanisms underlying the enhanced oil recovery process. In conclusion, this thesis contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the application of nanotechnology in enhancing oil recovery in mature oil fields. The results demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of nanotechnology-based EOR techniques and highlight their potential to revolutionize the oil and gas industry. The findings of this study have implications for oil companies, researchers, and policymakers seeking to optimize oil production from mature fields and meet the increasing global energy demands.