Patent ID: 10155899

Abstract:
A suspension for removing hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation includes a fluid comprising at least one of water, brine, steam, carbon dioxide, a light hydrocarbon, and an organic solvent; and a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed with the fluid. Nanoparticles of the plurality comprise silica and carbon. A method includes forming a plurality of nanoparticles and dispersing the plurality of nanoparticles with a fluid to form a suspension comprising the nanoparticles. A method of recovering a hydrocarbon material includes introducing a suspension into a subterranean formation containing hydrocarbons, forming a stabilized emulsion of the suspension and the hydrocarbons within the subterranean formation; and removing the emulsion from the subterranean formation. The suspension comprises a plurality of nanoparticles, and at least some nanoparticles of the plurality comprise silica and carbon.