Open Access

REVIEW

Enhanced Oil Recovery in Sandstone Reservoirs: A Review of Mechanistic Advances and Hydrocarbon Predictive Techniques

Surajudeen Sikiru^1,2,*, Jemilat Yetunde Yusuf ³, Hassan Soleimani⁴, Niraj Kumar⁵, Zia ur Rehman⁶, Bonnia N N^1,*

1 School of Physics and Materials Studies, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Shah Alam, 40450, Selangor, Malaysia
2 Sustainable Energy Materials Laboratory, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Shah Alam, 40450, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
3 Fundamental and Applied Science Department, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Tronoh, 32610, Perak, Malaysia
4 Geoscience Department, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Bandar Seri Iskandar, Tronoh, 32610, Perak, Malaysia
5 Department of Electronic & Communication Engineering, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun, 248002, Uttarakhand, India
6 Department of Mathematics, Namal University, 30km Talagang Road, Mianwali, 42250, Punjab, Pakistan

* Corresponding Authors: Surajudeen Sikiru. Email: , ; Bonnia N N. Email:

Energy Engineering 2025, 122(10), 3917-3960. https://doi.org/10.32604/ee.2025.067815

Received 13 May 2025; Accepted 05 September 2025; Issue published 30 September 2025

Abstract

Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) refers to the many methodologies used to augment the volume of crude oil extracted from an oil reservoir. These approaches are used subsequent to the exhaustion of basic and secondary recovery methods. There are three primary categories of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR): thermal, gas injection, and chemical. Enhanced oil recovery methods may be costly and intricate; yet, they facilitate the extraction of supplementary oil that would otherwise remain in the reservoir. Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) may prolong the lifespan of an oil field and augment the total output from a specific field. The parameters influencing oil recovery are a significant problem in Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) systems, necessitating further examination of the components that impact them. This research examined the impact of permeability fluctuations on fluid dynamics inside a sandstone reservoir and presented a contemporary overview of the three phases of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), including detailed explanations of the methodologies used and the processes facilitating oil recovery. The challenges faced with several common EOR mechanisms were identified, and solutions were suggested. Additionally, the modern trend of incorporating nanotechnology and its synergistic impacts on the stability and efficacy of conventional chemicals for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) was scrutinised and evaluated. Ultimately, laboratory results and field activities were examined. The study looked closely at how nanoparticles move through reservoirs and evaluated enhanced oil recovery (EOR), mobility ratio, and fluid displacement efficiency. This study offers comprehensive insights into the use of enhanced oil recovery techniques for sustainable energy generation.

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Keywords

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