A Comprehensive Study of Polysilicon Nanoparticles Applications in Enhanced Oil Recovery

Enhanced oil recovery methods need to get more attentions knowing that most of reservoirs may be experiencing the second half of their life.In the positive side, World's growing demand for energy will be a majorchallenge in the next ٢٠ years so advanced technology like nanotechnology should be coming to overcome these problems. Thisstudy focuses on application of polysilicon nanoparticles as one method for improving oil recovery. Polysilicon nanoparticles can enhance oilrecovery through two mechanisms; wettability alteration and interfacial tension reduction. In this paper all aspects of utilization of polysilicon nanoparticles in enhanced oil recovery is reviewed and the potential opportunity and challenges that face are also discussed.