Recent Trends in Hybrid Biopolymer‐Nanoparticle Systems for Enhanced Oil Recovery

ABSTRACT Enhanced Oil Recovery techniques, particularly chemical flooding, have been used to improve oil displacement efficiency, while the use of synthetic polymers often faces challenges related to ecotoxicity and instability under high temperature and salinity conditions. Biopolymers has been investigated because of their eco‐friendly nature, shear‐thinning behavior, and structural flexibility. However, native biopolymers still face limitations when exposed to harsh reservoir conditions. To overcome these challenges, the incorporation of nanoparticles has recently been investigated as a strategy to form hybrid biopolymer–nanoparticle systems. These systems have been reported to improve viscosity retention, thermal and salt resistance, wettability alteration, reduction of interfacial tension, and adsorption control, which can increase recovery efficiency. This review highlights recent progress in hybrid biopolymer–nanoparticle systems, focusing on their underlying mechanisms, experimental findings, and prospects for advancing sustainable Enhanced Oil Recovery technologies.