Experimental study of the effects of a novel nanoparticle on enhanced oil recovery in carbonate porous media

One of the effective methods in the process of enhancing the oil recovery from oil reservoirs is the use of nanotechnology. For this purpose, a new nanofluid was used to enhance the oil recovery from the reservoir at the scale of carbonate rocks. Finally, the obtained compound, in the first stage, nano-graphene oxide (NGO) were synthesized using Hummer's method and then they were subjected to surface modifications under new compounds. Finally, the obtained compound was known as (graphene oxide (N-(1-naphthyl) ethylenediamine)) (G-NEA), where G stands for graphene oxide (GO). Also, to determine the morphological characteristics and structure of the synthesized nanoparticles, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were performed. In addition, zeta-potential analysis was performed to investigate the stability of nanofluids at different pHs. In order to investigate the effect of nanofluids on oil recovery, three concentrations (200, 400, and 500 ppm) of G-NEA nanofluids were prepared. Also, the interfacial-tension (IFT) measurement and rock angle measurement in the presence of nanofluid were investigated using a pendant drop and sessile drop method, respectively. The coreflood experiment was performed to evaluate the effect of G-NEA nanofluid on carbonate plugs. The results showed that when the G-NEA nanofluid concentration increased, the IFT value of 19.34 (mN/m) for deionized water to 10.8 (mN/m) for 500 ppm G-NEA and the contact angle decreased from the initial value of 166 degrees to 40 degrees, indicating the tendency of the wettability alteration of the rock to a water-wet conditions. The results of the coreflood experiment showed that at 400 and 500 ppm concentrations, the G-NEA nanofluid enhanced the oil recovery by 23 and 15%, respectively. Therefore, this synthesized nanofluid can have an effective approach to drive the carbonate reservoir rock into a water-wet condition and enhance oil recovery.