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With the ongoing advancement in oil exploration, microemulsion, as an innovative oil displacement method, has garnered considerable attention owing to its exceptional physicochemical properties in enhancing crude oil recovery. As such, this study initially delineates the fundamental concepts, classifications, formation mechanisms, advantages, and preparation methodologies of microemulsions. Subsequently, it introduces the selection criteria for microemulsion components, followed by an elucidation of the characterization methods for microemulsions based on these criteria. Furthermore, it examines the factors influencing the efficacy of microemulsions in enhancing oil recovery through two distinct methods, along with the effects of various formulation microemulsions under laboratory and oilfield conditions. Additionally, it outlines prospects, challenges, and future development trends pertaining to microemulsions.

High molecular polymers have been widely studied and applied in the field of enhanced oil recovery (EOR). At present, the focus of research has been changed to the design of polymer networks with unique properties such as anti-temperature and anti-salinity, good injection and so on. Supramolecular polymers have high viscoelasticity as well as excellent temperature, salt resistance and injection properties. Can supramolecular polymers become another material choice for polymer flooding to enhance oil recovery? The present review aims to systematically introduce supramolecular polymers, including its design strategy, interactions and rheological properties, and address three main concerns: (1) Why choose supramolecular polymers? (2) How do we synthesize and characterize supramolecular polymers in the field of oilfield chemistry? (3) What has been the application progress of supramolecular polymers in improving oil recovery? The introduction of a supramolecular interaction system provides a new idea for polymer flooding and opens up a new research direction to improve oil recovery. Aiming at the “reversible dynamic” supramolecular polymers, the supramolecular polymers are compared with the conventional covalent macromolecular polymer networks, and the challenges and future research directions of supramolecular polymers in EOR are discussed. Finally, the author’s viewpoints and perspectives in this emerging field are discussed.