CO2 responsive materials in oilfield engineering: synthesis, mechanisms, and applications

Abstract

The increasing demand for oil and gas resources, coupled with growing concerns over the environmental impact of conventional chemical agents, has heightened the need for sustainable alternatives. CO₂ responsive materials, which utilize CO₂ as an environmentally friendly stimulus, have emerged as promising solutions for improving chemical performance while minimizing environmental impact in petroleum engineering. This review systematically examines the functional groups, response mechanisms, and synthesis strategies of CO₂ responsive polymers in oil and gas operations, with particular emphasis on their applications in drilling and reservoir engineering. The review explores the relationship between the reversibility of CO₂ responsive materials and their environmental adaptability, focusing on applications in cementing, oil–water separation, gas channeling plugging, viscosity modification, and enhanced oil recovery. By evaluating response mechanisms and environmental adaptability, this work offers valuable insights into the optimization of CO₂ responsive materials for practical use in petroleum operations. Additionally, challenges such as response sensitivity and long-term stability are critically explored, and potential solutions and strategies are proposed. The findings aim to support the low-carbon transformation of the oil industry and promote the adoption of sustainable practices in hydrocarbon extraction.