Nanotechnology for CO2 Utilization in Oilfield Applications

1. Introduction  

2. Synthesis & characterization of nanofluids for oilfield applications  
2.1 Single-step and Two-step synthesis of nanofluids  
2.2 Methods to prepare nanofluids  
2.3 Various types of nanofluids  
2.4 Nanofluid imaging methods  
2.5 Chemical characterization of nanofluids  
2.6 Dispersion stability and thermophysical properties  
2.7 Challenges to nanofluid stability  

3. Rheological characterization of nanofluids  
3.1 Methods to rheologically investigate nanofluids  
3.2 Variables influencing rheology of nanofluids  
3.3 Viscosity and Shear stress  
3.4 Strain-sweep analysis  
3.5 Frequency-sweep analysis  
3.6 Hysteresis in nanofluids  

4. Why CO2?  
4.1 CO2 as a greenhouse gas  
4.2 Sources of CO2  
4.3 Understanding CO2 capture in brief  

5. CO2 Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) process and injection process  
5.1 Introduction  
5.2 CO2 as an EOR fluid  
5.3 Thermodynamics and phase behaviour of CO2  
5.4 Supercritical CO2  
5.5 Principles of CO2 EOR  
5.6 Oil recovery mechanisms in CO2-EOR projects  
5.7 Mutual interactions between CO2 and crude oil  
5.8 Case studies on CO2 injection

6. Carbonated nanofluids for EOR and improved carbon storage  
6.1 Principles of carbonation  
6.2 Role of molality and absorption kinetics  
6.3 Carbonation of nanofluids  
6.4 Physisorption  
6.5 Chemisorption  

7. Mass transfer by molecular diffusion  
7.1 Diffusion in bulk fluids and porous media  
7.2 Molecular diffusion of gases into liquid phases  
7.3 The role of CO2 molecular diffusion in oil reservoirs  
7.4 Determination of gas diffusion coefficient  
7.4.1 Experimental measurements of mass transfer parameters  
7.4.2 Empirical correlations of diffusion coefficients  

8. Rock dissolution and formation damage in CO2 EOR  
8.1 Factors influencing dissolution in rocks  
8.2 Rock dissolution in sandstones  
8.3 Rock dissolution in carbonates  
8.4 Methods to mitigate rock dissolution  

9. Role of nanofluids in improving CO2 storage and stability in subsurface reservoir  
9.1 Flow behaviour of CO2 in porous media  
9.2 Mobility control using nanofluids  
9.3 Case studies on CO2 storage  

10. Density-driven natural convection during CO2 geo-sequestration  
10.1 Density-driven natural convection in heterogeneous aquifers  
10.2 Density-driven natural convection in fractured aquifers  

11. Dimensionless numbers and scaling criteria  
11.1 Introduction  
11.2 Capillary number  
11.3 Bond number  
11.4 Gravity number  
11.5 Combined dimensionless groups 

12. Retention of nanoparticles in porous media: Implications for fluid flow 
12.1 Mechanisms influencing nanoparticle retention  
12.2 Principles of NP retention  
12.3 Implications for fluid flow  
12.4 Role of SEM/EDX imaging  
12.5 Minimizing formation damage 

13. CO2 foams  
13.1 CO2 foams  
13.2 CO2 polymer foams  
13.3 Synergy between NPs, polymers and surfactants  
13.4 Factors influencing CO2 foams  

14. Solid CO2 storage in nanofluids for improved CO2 utilization  
14.1 Phase behaviour conditions for CO2 storage  
14.2 CO2 storage in fresh water  
14.3 CO2 storage in saline water  
14.4 Effect of nanofluids on CO2 hydrate formation and kinetics  

15. Conclusion and future research direction