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Nanotechnology

Enhancing Oil Recovery with Novel Nano-particle-infused Surfactant Biopolymer Composite

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers from Cairo University have made a significant breakthrough in the field of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) using a novel nano-particle-infused surfactant biopolymer composite. The study demonstrated that the composite, comprising Xanthan biopolymer, sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, and graphene cobalt samarium ferrite nanoparticles, can improve oil recovery by 1.7% and offer economic feasibility.

This research aimed to investigate the optimum concentration of the composite to be used with the optimum concentration of graphene cobalt samarium ferrite nanoparticles (NP). The experiments were performed on an unconsolidated sandpack model with 150,000 ppm formation water salinity. The results showed that the optimum concentrations of the surfactant polymer composite are 525 ppm of Xanthan biopolymer (XG) and 3755 ppm of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) to be used with a 500 ppm concentration of NP. This composite increased oil recovery from 81.6% to 83.3% by decreasing the interfacial tension and residual resistance factor and altering the rock wettability from weak water wet to strong water wet.

Key Takeaways:

  • The novel nano-particle-infused surfactant biopolymer composite improved oil recovery by 1.7% and offers economic feasibility.
  • The optimum concentrations of the surfactant polymer composite are 525 ppm of Xanthan biopolymer (XG) and 3755 ppm of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) to be used with a 500 ppm concentration of NP.
  • The composite decreased the interfacial tension and residual resistance factor, and altered the rock wettability from weak water wet to strong water wet.
  • The study focused on the application of Xanthan biopolymer, sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, and graphene cobalt samarium ferrite nanoparticles in the EOR process.
  • The identified optimal concentrations improve recovery rates and offer economic feasibility, making this approach a viable option for the oil industry.

Statistics:

  • 81.6% oil recovery without the composite
  • 83.3% oil recovery with the composite (improvement of 1.7%)
  • 525 ppm: optimal concentration of Xanthan biopolymer (XG)
  • 3755 ppm: optimal concentration of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS)
  • 500 ppm: optimal concentration of graphene cobalt samarium ferrite nanoparticles (NP)
  • 150,000 ppm: formation water salinity used in the experiments

Sources:

  • NewsRx. New Findings on Nanoparticles from Cairo University Summarized (Enhancing Oil Recovery With Novel Nano-particle-infused Surfactant Biopolymer Composite: a Comprehensive Investigation). Energy Weekly News. September 19, 2025; p 229.
  • Enhancing Oil Recovery With Novel Nano-particle-infused Surfactant Biopolymer Composite: a Comprehensive Investigation. Fuel, 2025;396. Fuel can be contacted at: Elsevier Sci Ltd, 125 London Wall, London, England. (Elsevier - www.elsevier.com; Fuel - www.journals.elsevier.com/fuel/)

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