Investigating Effect of SiO2 Nanoparticle and Sodium-Dodecyl-Sulfate Surfactant on Surface Properties: Wettability Alteration and IFT Reduction

Interfacial-Tension (IFT)/contact angle measurements and several core-floods are performed to characterize the as-prepared samples and evaluate the efficacy of silica nanoparticles (NPs) and SDS surfactant in Enhanced-Oil-Recovery (EOR). NPs decreases the oil/solution IFT more than the surfactant solution and much more than reservoir brine. The optimum concentration of silica NPs in surfactant solution is determined to achieve in highest IFT reduction. Also, contact angle measurements unraveled the vital role of the synthesized NPs hydrophilic nature in altering the wettability to strongly water-wet. Consecutive core flood examinations corroborated the significant improvement of the surfactant performance in EOR by the NPs.