Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Silica Nanoparticles on Interfacial Tension and Wettability during Low Salinity Water Flooding: A Micromodel Study

Objective The present paper investigates the effect of nanoparticle concentrations on interfacial tension and wettability during low salinity water flooding (LSWF) at microscale. Method A wide range LSW were prepared investigated for their ability to modulate with crude oil. impact fluid-rock interactions was studied through contact angle measurements water-wet, intermediate-wet oil-wet glass substrates. Nanofluid systems a fixed concentration 0.1wt% by mixing hydrophilic silica NPs concentrations. Likewise, nanoparticles IFT investigated. Results fluids results suggest that lowest value can be achieved 5000ppm. Contact studies in all indicated negligible alteration. However, presence saline significantly reduced values angle. Consequently, altered more water-wet condition. Conclusion Oil displacement experiments both micromodels LSW-augmented functional offer enormous potential improving oil recovery. synergistic adsorption interfaces appears explain improved sweep efficiency.