Evaluation of the simultaneous use of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles and polyacrylamide polymer as an enhanced oil recovery method

چکیده مقاله

Currently, polymers and nanoparticles (NPs) have garnered significant attention in the petroleum industry due to their potential to address critical production challenges, such as declining reservoir pressure, high oil viscosity, and water breakthrough. This study investigates the synergistic effect of polyacrylamide (PAM) and α-Fe₂O₃ NPs on enhanced oil recovery (EOR) from carbonate rocks. Various experimental methods, including core flooding, contact angle measurements, interfacial tension (IFT) analysis, and viscosity assessments, were conducted under different scenarios to evaluate the performance of these fluids. The results demonstrated that adding α-Fe₂O₃ NPs to the PAM solution increased the viscosity of the aqueous phase, leading to more efficient oil displacement. Additionally, α-Fe₂O₃ NPs effectively altered the wettability of the rock, reducing the contact angle from 132° to 102° and decreasing the IFT from 24 to 13 dyne/cm, contributing to improved oil recovery. The 48% reduction in IFT was attributed to the adsorption of NPs at the oil-water interface, which lowered the surface energy. Furthermore, the hydrophobicity of the carbonate rock decreased by 24%, as indicated by the reduced contact angle. This wettability shift is linked to the formation of a more homogeneous oil-water interface, stabilized by the high surface area of the NPs. Core flooding experiments revealed an 18% increase in ultimate oil recovery with the addition of α-Fe₂O₃ NPs to the PAM solution. These findings highlight the potential of combining PAM and α-Fe₂O₃ NPs as an effective EOR method for field-scale applications, offering a promising solution to enhance oil recovery in reservoirs.