Effect of Nanomaterials on Improving the Apparent Viscosity of Heavy Oil and the Environmental Evaluation of Reservoir Environment
Research Article  ·  Published: 06 January 2026
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Reservoir Science
Volume 2, Issue 1, 2026: 1-15
Research Article Open Access

Effect of Nanomaterials on Improving the Apparent Viscosity of Heavy Oil and the Environmental Evaluation of Reservoir Environment

1 School of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China
* Corresponding Author: Yanling Wang, [email protected]
Volume 2, Issue 1

Article Information

Published in Reservoir Science
Pages 1-15

Abstract

Heavy oil reservoirs have become an important potential for alleviating energy shortages and supporting economic development. This investigation aims to explore the influence of a nano heavy oil viscosity reducer and reservoir characteristics on crude oil viscosity and flow rate during the underground extraction process, and to reveal the viscosity reduction mechanism of reservoir crude oil. The results indicate that the prepared nano viscosity reducer can significantly weaken oil viscosity compared with the commercial viscosity reducer. Moreover, the nano viscosity reducer NVR (acting as a catalyst) achieves a much higher viscosity reduction performance than the commercial viscosity reducer CVR under the same conditions. Meanwhile, the dosage of nano viscosity reducer NVR shows the greatest impact on the viscosity reduction rate among the investigated factors, whereas the pyrolysis time exhibits the smallest influence. This investigation provides basic data for improving the flowability, mobility, and recovery of reservoir crude oil.

Graphical Abstract

Effect of Nanomaterials on Improving the Apparent Viscosity of Heavy Oil and the Environmental Evaluation of Reservoir Environment

Keywords

geological energy geological reservoir heavy oil viscosity reduction reservoir stimulation petroleum engineering

Data Availability Statement

Data will be made available on request.

Funding

This work was supported without any funding.

Conflicts of Interest

Yanling Wang served as an Editorial Board Member of the Reservoir Science at the time of manuscript submission. To ensure the integrity of the peer-review process, Yanling Wang was not involved in the editorial handling, peer review, or decision-making process for this manuscript, which was handled independently by another editor. The remaining authors declare no conflicts of interest.

AI Use Statement

The authors declare that no generative AI was used in the preparation of this manuscript.

Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate

Not applicable.

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APA Style
Xu, N., & Wang, Y. (2026). Effect of Nanomaterials on Improving the Apparent Viscosity of Heavy Oil and the Environmental Evaluation of Reservoir Environment. Reservoir Science, 2(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.62762/RS.2025.277961
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TY  - JOUR
AU  - Xu, Ning
AU  - Wang, Yanling
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/01/06
TI  - Effect of Nanomaterials on Improving the Apparent Viscosity of Heavy Oil and the Environmental Evaluation of Reservoir Environment
JO  - Reservoir Science
T2  - Reservoir Science
JF  - Reservoir Science
VL  - 2
IS  - 1
SP  - 1
EP  - 15
DO  - 10.62762/RS.2025.277961
UR  - https://www.icck.org/article/abs/RS.2025.277961
KW  - geological energy
KW  - geological reservoir
KW  - heavy oil viscosity reduction
KW  - reservoir stimulation
KW  - petroleum engineering
AB  - Heavy oil reservoirs have become an important potential for alleviating energy shortages and supporting economic development. This investigation aims to explore the influence of a nano heavy oil viscosity reducer and reservoir characteristics on crude oil viscosity and flow rate during the underground extraction process, and to reveal the viscosity reduction mechanism of reservoir crude oil. The results indicate that the prepared nano viscosity reducer can significantly weaken oil viscosity compared with the commercial viscosity reducer. Moreover, the nano viscosity reducer NVR (acting as a catalyst) achieves a much higher viscosity reduction performance than the commercial viscosity reducer CVR under the same conditions. Meanwhile, the dosage of nano viscosity reducer NVR shows the greatest impact on the viscosity reduction rate among the investigated factors, whereas the pyrolysis time exhibits the smallest influence. This investigation provides basic data for improving the flowability, mobility, and recovery of reservoir crude oil.
SN  - 3070-2356
PB  - Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge
LA  - English
ER  - 
BibTeX Format
Compatible with LaTeX, BibTeX, and other reference managers
@article{Xu2026Effect,
  author = {Ning Xu and Yanling Wang},
  title = {Effect of Nanomaterials on Improving the Apparent Viscosity of Heavy Oil and the Environmental Evaluation of Reservoir Environment},
  journal = {Reservoir Science},
  year = {2026},
  volume = {2},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-15},
  doi = {10.62762/RS.2025.277961},
  url = {https://www.icck.org/article/abs/RS.2025.277961},
  abstract = {Heavy oil reservoirs have become an important potential for alleviating energy shortages and supporting economic development. This investigation aims to explore the influence of a nano heavy oil viscosity reducer and reservoir characteristics on crude oil viscosity and flow rate during the underground extraction process, and to reveal the viscosity reduction mechanism of reservoir crude oil. The results indicate that the prepared nano viscosity reducer can significantly weaken oil viscosity compared with the commercial viscosity reducer. Moreover, the nano viscosity reducer NVR (acting as a catalyst) achieves a much higher viscosity reduction performance than the commercial viscosity reducer CVR under the same conditions. Meanwhile, the dosage of nano viscosity reducer NVR shows the greatest impact on the viscosity reduction rate among the investigated factors, whereas the pyrolysis time exhibits the smallest influence. This investigation provides basic data for improving the flowability, mobility, and recovery of reservoir crude oil.},
  keywords = {geological energy, geological reservoir, heavy oil viscosity reduction, reservoir stimulation, petroleum engineering},
  issn = {3070-2356},
  publisher = {Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge}
}

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