Wettability Alteration and Interfacial Tension Reduction in EOR

The application of nanotechnology in various fields of knowledge has attracted the attention of researchers and scientists recently. The small size of nanoparticles (NPs) and their high surface area made them suitable candidates for application into porous mediums like oil reservoirs. This chapter investigates the efficiency of NPs in the activation of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) mechanisms. Wettability alteration and reduction of interfacial tension (IFT) between oil and water in the presence of NPs are examined. The fundamental definitions of wettability and IFT alongside standard methods to measure these properties are represented, and the variation of these mechanisms in the presence of NPs is evaluated. In addition, numerous studies on the application of various NPs in the EOR process are investigated, and environmental challenges related to the application of NPs for EOR purposes are mentioned. This chapter could be a valuable source for researchers, engineers, and academic students who want to find some technical information on activated EOR mechanisms by NPs.