Fundamental research improves oil extraction efficiency
We are currently successful in extracting approximately one third of the oil from oil fields. The reason for this low figure is that a large proportion of the oil remains trapped in the rock. It was already clear that great improvements in efficiency could be achieved by using water with a lower salt content when drilling. However, it was unclear which specific physical principles were behind this and what role salt ions played. Scientists from the MESA+ research institute of the University of Twente have now managed to unravel what these principles are. A better understanding of the process can lead to significant improvements in oil extraction efficiency. The research has been published in the Nature Publishing Group's open-access journal Scientific Reports.