| abstract |
Enhanced recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir injects a gaseous reactant and a dispersion of oil, water, and nano-hybrid catalysts through an injection well into a subterranean formation. The combination of the dispersion and gaseous reactant(s) forms a stabilized foam within the subterranean formation. When the foam reaches an oil-water inter-face, the nanohybrid catalysts catalytically partially oxidize the hydrocarbons present at the oil-water interface thereby increasing the capillary number and decreasing the interfacial tension at the oil-water interface. |