Electrochemical Potentials of Cobalt Oxide Nanofluid for Improved Oil Recovery with the Aid of Electromagnetic Field

Abstract:

Oil reservoir formation damage is a significant issue in secondary and tertiary oil recovery operations. Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) approaches can address these issues while increasing production rates and resource recovery. However, challenges include chemical degradation, high chemical volumes, and high costs. Nanotechnologies can improve oil recovery by improving subsurface porous media and pore fluids, separating fluid phases, and introducing influencing coatings. Cobalt oxide-based materials have been extensively evaluated for their amphiphilic properties, thermal stability, and high reactivity, which can modify physicochemical properties and improve crude oil recovery. CoO nanoparticles were characterized using various techniques, including Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectronic spectrometry, and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FSEM). Results showed that CoO nanofluid positively affects reservoir minerals with electromagnetic fields and improves oil recovery. It also improves thermal stability, promotes stable emulsion formation, decreases the interfacial tension (IFT) up to 15% for the light-crude-oil/water system at concentrations of 0.5 wt% nanofluid, and can improve thermal stability with respect to CoO in a wide range of temperatures, favouring the formation of stable emulsions.

• Periodical: Defect and Diffusion Forum (Volume 439)
• Pages: 23-32
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-RX8jIa
• Online since: February 2025
• Authors: Hojjatollah Soleimani, Surajudden Sikiru, Hassan Soleimani*, Amir Rostami, Leila Khodapanah, Mohammad Yeganeh Ghotbi, Nejat Rahmanian, Maziyar Sabet
• Keywords: Cobalt Oxide, Enhanced Oil Recovery, IFT, Nanoparticles, Thermal Stability

References

[1] S. Davoodi, M. Al-Shargabi, D. A. Wood, V. S. Rukavishnikov, and K. M. Minaev, "Experimental and field applications of nanotechnology for enhanced oil recovery purposes: A review," Fuel, vol. 324, p.124669, 2022.

DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2022.124669

[2] Y. Shiyi and W. Qiang, "New progress and prospect of oilfields development technologies in China," Petroleum Exploration and Development, vol. 45, no. 4, pp.698-711, 2018.

DOI: 10.1016/s1876-3804(18)30073-9

[3] K. E. Sapsford et al., "Functionalizing nanoparticles with biological molecules: developing chemistries that facilitate nanotechnology," Chemical reviews, vol. 113, no. 3, pp.1904-2074, 2013.

DOI: 10.1021/cr300143v

[4] Y. M. Hassan et al., "The influence of ZnO/SiO2 nanocomposite concentration on rheology, interfacial tension, and wettability for enhanced oil recovery," Chemical Engineering Research and Design, vol. 179, pp.452-461, 2022.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cherd.2022.01.033

[5] Y. M. Hassan, B. H. Guan, L. K. Chuan, M. F. Hamza, and S. Sikiru, "Effect of silica-based hybrid nano-surfactant on interfacial tension reduction for enhanced oil recovery," Chemical Engineering Research and Design, vol. 195, pp.370-377, 2023.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cherd.2023.05.050

[6] M. Singh, S. Singh, and A. M. Asiri, "IFT and friccohesity study of formulation, wetting, dewetting of liquid systems using oscosurvismeter," Journal of Molecular Liquids, vol. 244, pp.7-18, 2017.

DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2017.08.067

[7] M. I. Youssif and S. M. Saleh, "A macro and micro-investigation of nanotechnology for enhanced oil recovery: A comprehensive review," Journal of Molecular Liquids, p.125284, 2024.

DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2024.125284

[8] L. Hendraningrat, S. Li, and O. Torsæter, "A coreflood investigation of nanofluid enhanced oil recovery," Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, vol. 111, pp.128-138, 2013.

DOI: 10.1016/j.petrol.2013.07.003

[9] A. Ahmed, I. Mohd Saaid, R. M Pilus, A. Abbas Ahmed, A. H. Tunio, and M. K. Baig, "Development of surface treated nanosilica for wettability alteration and interfacial tension reduction," Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology, vol. 39, no. 10, pp.1469-1475, 2018.

DOI: 10.1080/01932691.2017.1417133

[10] A. Esfandyari Bayat, R. Junin, A. Samsuri, A. Piroozian, and M. Hokmabadi, "Impact of metal oxide nanoparticles on enhanced oil recovery from limestone media at several temperatures," Energy & fuels, vol. 28, no. 10, pp.6255-6266, 2014.

DOI: 10.1021/ef5013616

[11] L. Hendraningrat and O. Torsæter, "Metal oxide-based nanoparticles: Revealing their potential to enhance oil recovery in different wettability systems," Applied Nanoscience, vol. 5, pp.181-199, 2015.

DOI: 10.1007/s13204-014-0305-6

[12] E. Joonaki and S. Ghanaatian, "The application of nanofluids for enhanced oil recovery: effects on interfacial tension and coreflooding process," Petroleum Science and Technology, vol. 32, no. 21, pp.2599-2607, 2014.

DOI: 10.1080/10916466.2013.855228

[13] S.J.J. o. M.L. Sikiru, "Ionic transport and influence of electromagnetic field interaction within electric double layer in reservoir sandstone," vol. 344, p.117675, 2021.

DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2021.117675

[14] H. Soleimani et al., "Impact of carbon nanotubes based nanofluid on oil recovery efficiency using core flooding," Results in Physics, vol. 9, pp.39-48, 2018.

DOI: 10.1016/j.rinp.2018.01.072

[15] A. Aminian and B. ZareNezhad, "Wettability alteration in carbonate and sandstone rocks due to low salinity surfactant flooding," Journal of Molecular Liquids, vol. 275, pp.265-280, 2019.

DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2018.11.080

[16] T. Huhtamäki, X. Tian, J. T. Korhonen, and R. H. Ras, "Surface-wetting characterization using contact-angle measurements," Nature protocols, vol. 13, no. 7, pp.1521-1538, 2018.

DOI: 10.1038/s41596-018-0003-z