Low-field NMR investigation on interaction of ZnO nanoparticles with reservoir fluids and sandstone rocks for enhanced oil recovery

Abstract The use of nanoparticles (NPs) can considerably benefit enhanced oil recovery (EOR) by changing the wettability rock, improving mobility drop, and decreasing interfacial tension (IFT) between water. Prior to application in fields, it is essential conduct measurements at laboratory scale. However, estimation reservoir difficult most experiments. Practicably, ZnO NPs were used modify rock surface wettability, lower IFT oil/water interface, reduce interaction chemical adsorption, such as (surfactant) onto solve various challenges production EOR operations. Upon confining both ZnO-based nanofluid crude into sandstone, deviations from corresponding pure bulk dynamical behaviors observed with low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) relaxometry. expected attributed well-known confinement effect. test results before after variations formation water (FW) addition three different NP concentrations (0.05, 0.075, 0.1) wt% reflected significant changes its wettability. Among treatments Berea sandstone cores NPs, percentage clay-bound H 2 O/free fluid index was maximum 1.0 pore volume (PV) treatment. ratio NMR relaxations, which determines affinity fluids toward solids, PV treatment reported have potential higher for FW less walls. Hence, LF-NMR allows monitoring characteristics pores samples may potentially be applied further studies.