Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials for enhanced oil recovery (EOR): A review

Currently, oil is the most demanded and consumed energy source in the world. Nanofluid flooding has recently garnered considerable attention as an advanced chemical-based enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technology. In the last decade, two-dimensional nanomaterials have emerged as alternative nanoflooding agents because of their distinctive characteristics: (i) great ability to reduce interfacial tension, and (ii) highly elastic interfacial layer that could return to its original form, even after seriously disturbed, that avoid blockage in the reservoir. This review emphasizes the recent advances of several two-dimensional nanomaterials that have been investigated as nanoflooding agents. Compared with the commonly used homogeneous spherical nanoparticles, two-dimensional nanomaterial could generate amphiphilic Janus nanosheets with higher interfacial activity and emulsion stabilization, especially in amphiphilic states. Thus, two-dimensional nanomaterials are considered up-and-coming nanoflooding agents for obtaining a high oil recovery. Lastly, this review concludes with a summary and future outlook for EOR technology based on two-dimensional nanomaterials.