Enhanced oil recovery for emergent energy demand: challenges and prospects for a nanotechnology paradigm shift.

Afolabi, Richard O.

Abstract

Renewable and non-renewable energy sources remain the two fronts for meeting global emergent energy demand. Renewable energy sources such as crude oil, in meeting energy needs, is a function of new hydrocarbon discoveries and improving the recovery of existing oil fields. However, new crude oil discoveries are made at a decreasing rate; likewise, existing fields are at a declining phase with conventional recovery techniques not being able to produce as much as two-thirds of the oil in place. In complementing existing oil recovery techniques, research into the use of nanotechnology has emerged as a potential alternative for tertiary oil recovery scheme. Despite the promising results, there has not been any reported large-scale field application of nanotechnology in the oil and gas industry except for some small-scale field trials. In this paper, a detailed review of developments on nano-enhanced oil recovery (Nano-EOR) and its attendant challenges are presented. Furthermore, key recommendations were given for future research on Nano-EOR. While the adoption of new technologies has its associated risks, the future prospects of Nano-EOR remains very high.

Citation

AFOLABI, R.O. 2019. Enhanced oil recovery for emergent energy demand: challenges and prospects for a nanotechnology paradigm shift. International nano letters [online], 9(1), pages 1-15. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40089-018-0248-0

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 6, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Sep 12, 2018
• Publication Date: Mar 31, 2019
• Deposit Date: May 6, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: May 6, 2022
• Journal: International nano letters
• Print ISSN: 2008-9295
• Electronic ISSN: 2228-5326
• Publisher: Springer
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 1-15
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40089-018-0248-0
• Keywords: Nanotechnology; Enhanced oil recovery; Energy demand; Paradigm shift
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/984040