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Research of CO 2 -Responsive Surfactants for Enhanced Oil Recovery: Review and Outlook

Author

Listed:
  • Bo Dong

    (University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    Institute of Porous Flow and Fluid Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Langfang 065007, China)

  • Quan Xu

    (China Petroleum Technology and Development Corporation, Beijing 100028, China)

  • Jierui Liu

    (PetroChina Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration & Development, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Shuming Du

    (Xinmu Oil Production Plant of Jilin Oilfield, Songyuan 138000, China)

  • Wenli Luo

    (Institute of Porous Flow and Fluid Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Langfang 065007, China
    PetroChina Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration & Development, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Wei Wu

    (Exploration and Development Research Institute of Jilin Oilfield, Songyuan 138000, China)

  • Xinyuan Zou

    (PetroChina Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration & Development, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Shisheng Liang

    (Sinopec Research Institute of Petroleum Engineering, Beijing 102206, China)

Abstract

In enhanced oil recovery (EOR), various processes have specific requirements concerning surfactant surface activity. High surface activity is essential during the oil production, whereas low or even negligible surface activity is required during the oil separation process. CO 2 -responsive surfactants can regulate their surface activity through the addition or removal of CO 2 in their aqueous solutions. This property makes them suitable for the formulation of CO 2 -responsive displacement systems, including CO 2 -responsive foam, emulsion, and hydrogel systems. These three systems hold significant application value within the realm of enhanced oil recovery. This paper reviews the structure, types, synthesis methods, applications in EOR technology, and the effects of EOR in both field and laboratory settings. This method is both environmentally friendly and efficient for enhancing oil recovery. Furthermore, the application of CO 2 -responsive surfactants facilitates carbon capture, utilization, and storage, contributing to the achievement of carbon neutrality and the carbon peak.

Suggested Citation

  • Bo Dong & Quan Xu & Jierui Liu & Shuming Du & Wenli Luo & Wei Wu & Xinyuan Zou & Shisheng Liang, 2025. "Research of CO 2 -Responsive Surfactants for Enhanced Oil Recovery: Review and Outlook," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-24, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:3:p:574-:d:1577005
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wang, Zhoujie & Li, Songyan & Wei, Yaohui & Dang, Faqiang & Li, Minghe, 2024. "Investigation of oil-based CO2 foam EOR and carbon mitigation in a 2D visualization physical model: Effects of different injection strategies," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    2. Roopender Kumar & Nils J. Flodén & William G. Whitehurst & Matthew J. Gaunt, 2020. "A general carbonyl alkylative amination for tertiary amine synthesis," Nature, Nature, vol. 581(7809), pages 415-420, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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