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Next-Generation Polymer Flooding for Enhanced Oil Recovery: A Critical Review of Nano-Reinforced Formulations, Hybrid Injection Strategies, and Data-Driven Performance Forecasting | ||
| Kerbala Journal for Engineering Sciences (KJES) | ||
| Volume 6, Issue 2, June 2026, Pages 218-253 PDF (2.52 M) | ||
| Document Type: Review Article | ||
| DOI: 10.63463/kjes1252 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Ahmed N. AL-Dujaili* 1; Zhao Wei2; Ali S. Ghurab3 | ||
| 1Petroleum Engineering Department, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran. | ||
| 2Hydrogeology Department, Engineering and Oil and Gas Geology, Satbayev University, Kazakhstan. | ||
| 3Petroleum Engineering Department, Faculty of Petroleum and Natural Resources, Sana’a University, Yemen. | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Traditional polymer flooding for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) suffers from shear instability, poor low-permeability injectivity, and viscosity loss in high-salinity, high-temperature reservoirs. This review critically assesses emerging polymer flooding technologies—including nano-reinforced polymers, hybrid injection techniques, and machine learning-based performance predictions—from 21 publications between 2020 and 2026. Nano-reinforced polymer flooding yields recovery factors (RF) of 44–72% of original oil in place (OOIP), with silica nanoparticles reaching displacement efficiencies up to ~94% and reversing contact angles from ~72° (oil-wet) to ~115° (water-wet). Hybrid injection (polymer-enhanced foam, CO₂-aided surfactant/polymer, and CO₂-cyclic solvent injection) achieves maximum recoveries of 70–97% OOIP via combined mobility reduction and ultra-low interfacial tension (10^{-3} mN/m). Capsule polymer flooding demonstrates delayed thickening (resistance factors increasing from 2 to 25–32), making it ideal for high water cut and offshore wells. Critical performance factors include optimal nanoparticle concentration (0.25–0.5 wt%), type and shape (SiO₂ > Al₂O₃/TiO₂; fibrous > spherical), salinity/temperature tolerance, and reservoir heterogeneity. Key challenges include nanoparticle agglomeration/retention, high synthesis costs, gas channeling, and limited understanding of long-term reservoir impact and scalability. Next-generation systems will feature smart responsive polymers, sustainable nano-enhancers, real-time digital twins with adaptive control, and reservoir-specific customization protocols. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Polymer flooding; Enhanced oil recovery (EOR); Wettability alteration; Mobility control; Hybrid injection | ||
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Supplementary Files
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| References | ||
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