Importance of the Nanofluid Preparation for Ultra-Low Interfacial Tension in Enhanced Oil Recovery Based on Surfactant-Nanoparticle-Brine System Interaction.

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of the preparation of the nanofluids based on the interactions between the surfactants, nanoparticles, and brine for being applied in ultra-low interfacial tension (IFT) for an enhanced oil recovery process. Three methodologies for the addition of the salt-surfactant-nanoparticle components for the formulation of an efficient injection fluid were evaluated: order of addition (i) salts, nanoparticles, and surfactants, (ii) salts, surfactants, and then nanoparticles, (iii) surfactants, nanoparticles, and then salts. Also, the effects of the total dissolved solids and the surfactant concentration were evaluated in the interfacial tension for selecting the better formulation of the surfactant solution.