The use of nanotechnology to prevent and mitigate fine migration: a comprehensive review

Fine migration is a serious problem in petroleum reservoir that causes damage to the reservoir and production equipment. One of the methods to solve this problem is using nanotechnology. Nanoparticles can reduce fine migration by various mechanisms such as reducing the zeta potential, changing the total interaction energy between surfaces, pH, and roughness of the particle's surfaces. This study presents a review of the methods such as sand pack test, core flood test, and proppant test that study the nanoparticles' influence on fine migration. Also, there are two different scenarios for the use of nanoparticles to mitigate fine migration. One of these scenarios is the co-injection of nanoparticles and particles suspended fluid, and another scenario is the initial injection of nanoparticles into the porous media (pre-flush). The results of the studies have shown that pre-flush of nanoparticles has a better effect on the control of fine migration.