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CO 2 injection into shale reservoirs has been recognized as one of the most promising techniques for enhanced oil recovery and carbon capture, utilization, and storage. However, the omnipresent nanopores and the water films formed near the pore walls affect the understanding of mechanisms of CO 2 regulating crude oil mobility in shale nanopores. In this work, we employ molecular dynamics simulations to study the occurrence and flow of CO 2 and octane ( n C 8 ) mixtures in quartz nanopores containing water films, to illustrate the impact mechanisms of CO 2 on n C 8 mobility. The results indicate that n C 8 exists between water films, and CO 2 is mainly miscible with n C 8 in the pore center, and a small portion of it accumulates at the interface between n C 8 and the water film. CO 2 significantly decreases the apparent viscosity of n C 8 in both the bulk n C 8 region and the n C 8 -water interface region, improving n C 8 fluidity. As the percentage of CO 2 in the CO 2 and n C 8 mixtures increases from 0 to 50%, the mean flow velocities of n C 8 in the bulk phase region and the n C 8 -water interface region increase by 92.85 and 60.64%, respectively. Three major microscopic mechanisms of CO 2 improving n C 8 fluidity in quartz nanopores with water films are summarized: (i) CO 2 reduces friction between n C 8 and the water film by increasing the angle between n C 8 molecules and the plane of the water film; (ii) CO 2 widens the distance between n C 8 molecules, causing the volume expansion of n C 8 and its viscosity reduction; (iii) CO 2 significantly increases the most probable and average velocities of n C 8 molecules, thus improving their mobility. Our results enhance the comprehension of how CO 2 facilitates oil flow in water-bearing shale reservoirs and the exploitation of unconventional oil resources.

The preparation and classification of nanocellulose are briefly introduced, and the modification of nanocellulose and the application of modified nanocellulose in oilfield chemistry are reviewed. The principles and methods of surface modification, including surface adsorption, oxidation, acetylation, silanization, etherification, and polymer grafting, are summarized. Meanwhile, this paper focuses on the application of nanocellulose research progress in drilling fluid, enhanced oil recovery, and oilfield sewage treatment. In addition, the application issues and natural advantages of nanocellulose are analyzed, and suggestions and ideas on how to expand its application are put forward. Finally, the development and potential application of nanocellulose in oilfield chemistry are proposed., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2021 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)