Nanoparticle-stabilized CO₂ foam for mobility control and enhanced oil recovery in heterogeneous reservoirs
Koyanbayev M. Omirbekov S. Wang L. Hashmet M.R. Wang Y. Hazlett R.
June 2026Elsevier Ltd
Energy Reports
2026#15
Surfactant-stabilized foam is a promising method for controlling gas mobility and improving sweep efficiency during carbon dioxide (CO₂)-enhanced oil recovery processes. However, its limited stability poses a challenge. This study investigates the performance of surfactant-only foam versus surfactant–nanoparticle (NP) foam in both bulk and porous media. Static bulk tests, coreflood experiments, and oil recovery tests were conducted. In bulk tests with oil, surfactant-stabilized foam stability declined as oil concentration increased. Adding silica nanoparticles improved foam stability in oil-free systems by reducing bubble coalescence and gravity-driven liquid drainage. Dynamic foam experiments using an Indiana limestone core showed that the apparent viscosity of CO₂ foam nearly doubled with the addition of nanoparticles to the surfactant solution, indicating stronger foam generation. In a heterogeneous coreflood experiment, both surfactant- and surfactant–nanoparticle-stabilized foams effectively diverted flow from high- to low-permeability zones, enhancing sweep efficiency. However, the surfactant-nanoparticle foam generated a higher-pressure drop compared to surfactant-only foam, suggesting it better blocked high-permeability channels and enhanced flow diversion. Oil recovery experiments revealed that the addition of nanoparticles increased oil recovery by approximately 5 % compared to surfactant-only foam. Overall, the results demonstrate that incorporating nanoparticles enhances foam strength, stability, and oil recovery performance. This suggests significant potential for nanoparticle-stabilized CO₂ foam in improving EOR efficiency. Copyright
CO2 foam , Nanoparticles , Oil recovery , Surfactant
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Department of Petroleum Engineering, School of Mining and Geosciences, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
Center for Energy and Advanced Materials Science, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
College of Energy, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, China
Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
Private Institution Nazarbayev University Research Administration, Nazarbayev University, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
Department of Petroleum Engineering
Center for Energy and Advanced Materials Science
College of Energy
Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering
Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering
Private Institution Nazarbayev University Research Administration
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