Desert Water Saving and Transportation for Enhanced Oil Recovery: Bridging the Gap for Sustainable Oil Recovery

Abstract

With concerns about water scarcity in arid regions, innovative solutions are imperative to meet the increasing water demand for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) processes. This article presents a study on the preparation of superhydrophobic sand for water-saving and storage, with a focus on potential applications in EOR. The results of the research indicate that the maximum water contact angle after sand hydrophobization was 158°. The water storage capacity of the sand was assessed by growing plants in soil layered with superhydrophobic sand. When superhydrophobic sand was used both above and below the soil, the soil remained moist for more than 10 days. In contrast, without the use of superhydrophobic sand, soil moisture lasted for only 3 days. This research demonstrates the potential of superhydrophobic sand in prolonging soil moisture, making it a valuable asset for water-saving applications in EOR and arid regions.