An experimental study on enhanced oil recovery utilizing nanoparticle ferrofluid through the application of a magnetic field

[Display omitted] •Measurements of contact angle prove that NP ferrofluid can change the rock wettability to strongly water wet.•Use of magnetic field changes the ferrofluid’s flow paths due to the magnetic strength.•Enhancement of light oil recovery is more than heavy oil recovery when applying the magnet.•NP ferrofluid does not alter wetting condition of rock systems containing highly viscous oil. Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is a significant target in oil engineering, and in this regard nanoparticle suspension flooding remains a challenging task. Therefore, in this study, suitable magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized for injection into a porous medium and then characterized. In addition, the utility of the synthesized nanoparticles for EOR with and without the application of a magnetic field was studied through a core flooding experiment. The oil recovery increased when a magnetic field was applied in comparison to without such an application owing to a better distribution and the utility of the magnetic nanoparticles in creating a column toward the direction of the magnetic field in the pore channels, which acts like a piston and can sweep the oil and thereby increase production.