document preview

Abstract
The revolution in nanotechnology has called attention to its many potential applications in the oil and gas industry. Nanoparticle-stabilized emulsions and foams have been proposed for enhanced oil recovery application. Understanding the transport and retention of nanoparticles in porous media is critical to their application. This paper presents the results of a study on the adsorption and transport behavior of nanosilica particles in three different porous media: sandstone, limestone, and dolomite. The results revealed that the equilibrium adsorption of the particles on sandstone, limestone, and dolomite were 1.272 mg/g, 5.501 mg/g, and 0 mg/g, respectively, in 5,000 ppm nanosilica dispersion. Coreflood tests were performed to investigate nanosilica particles transport behavior in different cores. It was observed that silica nanoparticles could easily pass through the sandstone core without changing the core’s permeability. A little adsorption was noted as silica nanoparticles flooded limestone core, but the core permeability was not changed. A high particle recovery was obtained with the dolomite core. However, pressure drop across the core was observed to continuously increase, indicating core plugging occurred and core permeability was changed.

Introduction
New technologies developing in nano-science has recently excited interest in oil and gas E&P.[1-5] Nanotechnology is characterized by collaboration among diverse disciplines, making it inherently innovative and more precise than other technologies. Such technology could help improve oil and gas production by making it easier to separate oil and gas in the reservoir; for instance, through improved understanding of processes at the molecular level.