Engineering the Wettability Alteration of Sandstone Using Surfactant-Assisted Functional Silica Nanofluids in Low-Salinity Seawater for Enhanced Oil Recovery

The application of nanoparticles for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) has been shown to be advantageous over conventional methods. Wettability alteration reservoir rock from oil-wet water-wet is one the main factors in improving matured reservoirs. sandstone reservoirs are generally negatively charged, and hence, a proper selection surface charge important. In this work, novel nanofluid prepared using synergistic effect an oppositely charged Ludox CL silica nanoparticle (positive) anionic Aerosol-OT (AOT) surfactant low-salinity seawater (LSW). positively can readily adsorb on Berea core due electrostatic attraction, altering wettability. interfacial tension (IFT) three-phase contact angle measured study IFT crude oil–nanofluid system wettability core. At low AOT concentration, hydrophobic because monolayer adsorption with higher tendency sit at oil–water interface, causing reduction IFT. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy energy-dispersive X-ray analyses were used show desorption efficiency different imbibition fluids was evaluated via spontaneous technique Amott cells. Experimental results showed that conducted yielded highest rate as compared deionized water, LSW, pure nanoparticles, (AOT), respectively. excellent stability, significant alteration, greater IFT, great potential agent EOR applications.