The Use of Periwinkle Shell Nanoparticle in Water Based Nanofluid for Displacement of Crude in Enhanced Oil Recovery

Experimental technique was used in the investigation of periwinkle shell-characterized nanosized particles in the production of water-based nanofluid used to displace crude oil for the purpose of altering oil wettability and to enhance oil recovery. Three samples of nanofluid with varying nanosized particles volume fractions were used in the injection flooding. Effects of wettability were ascertained, the oil displacement flow rate due to nanofluid flooding was obtained and compared with the displacement flow rate of a pure sample of water flooding, and the effect of nanoparticles on surface tension was also ascertained. Numerical results presented in tables show that the wettability of oil is reduced by the addition of nanosized particles of periwinkle shell. Results also revealed that there is a relatively higher displacement of oil using nanofluid flooding than the displacement of oil observed for pure water samples. Results presented further reveal that the surface tension of crude oil is reduced by the addition of nanosized particles. The implication of our findings in this study is that nanofluid made from the characterization of periwinkle shells provides an environmentally friendly solution to the challenges of elevating production capacity from carbonated crude oil reservoirs.