Development and characterization of CO2 micro-nano dispersion system for enhanced oil recovery from shale oil

Tao Zhang; Bengang Li; Baoche Liu; Tenghuan Zhang; Jianke Ren; Chunmei Xu; Shijun Chen

doi:10.2478/pjct-2026-0009

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Development and characterization of CO2 micro-nano dispersion system for enhanced oil recovery from shale oil

Green Sciences

Volume 28 (2026): Issue 1 (March 2026)

By: Tao Zhang, Bengang Li, Baoche Liu, Tenghuan Zhang, Jianke Ren, Chunmei Xu and Shijun Chen

Open Access

|Aug 2026

Abstract

This study examines the characteristics of strong heterogeneity, low porosity, and low permeability in shale oil reservoirs and develops a CO₂ micro-nano dispersion system designed to enhance shale oil recovery. CO₂ nano bubbles were prepared by hydraulic cavitation. Experimental results showed that CO₂ nano bubbles exhibited good relative stability in deionized water for a short period but were significantly affected by the Ostwald ripening effect over a longer period. The study found that inorganic salts and surfactants had significant regulatory effects on bubble size and relative stability, with nonionic surfactants exhibiting the best stabilizing effect through a steric hindrance mechanism. The stimulation experiment indicated that the recovery rate of the CO₂/low-salinity water/surfactant composite system was significantly higher than that of single CO₂ injection, and injection pressure, gas–liquid ratio, and injection rate had important impacts on oil displacement.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/pjct-2026-0009 | Journal eISSN: 3072-0389 (formerly 1899-4741) | Journal ISSN: 1509-8117

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Language: English

Page range: 115 - 131

Submitted on: Jul 30, 2025

Accepted on: Dec 11, 2025

Published on: Aug 26, 2026

Published by: West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: Volume open

Keywords:

CO₂ stimulation,

Related subjects:

Industrial chemistry,

Biotechnology,

Chemical engineering,

Process engineering

© 2026 Tao Zhang, Bengang Li, Baoche Liu, Tenghuan Zhang, Jianke Ren, Chunmei Xu, Shijun Chen, published by West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Volume 28 (2026): Issue 1 (March 2026)