--- title: Improving methods for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) description: Discover how interfacial and foam analysis help improve EOR methods and maximize the extraction rate surfactant flooding and foam-supported gas flooding. --- [![KRÜSS Scientific - Explore the World of Surface Science](https://visit.kruss-scientific.com/hubfs/blue_logo_kruss-01.svg "KRÜSS Scientific - Explore the World of Surface Science")](https://www.kruss-scientific.com/en) - [English](https://visit.kruss-scientific.com/industry-pages/enhanced-oil-recovery) - [Deutsch](https://visit.kruss-scientific.com/de/industrieseiten/enhanced-oil-recovery) - [简体中文](https://visit.kruss-scientific.com/zh-cn/industry-pages/enhanced-oil-recovery) # **Improving Methods for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR)** **Applying surface science to optimize fluid behavior** [Watch our free webinar](https://visit.kruss-scientific.com/webinar/elevating-enhanced-oil-recovery?hsLang=en) ## **Enhanced oil recovery starts at the surface** Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) techniques aim to extract trapped oil that primary and secondary methods leave behind, requiring a deep understanding of fluid dynamics and surface interactions. Surface science plays a pivotal role in optimizing EOR processes by analyzing critical factors such as wettability, emulsion stability, and foam behavior. By fine-tuning these interfacial properties, operators can improve displacement efficiency, reduce residual oil saturation, and enhance overall recovery rates. As the EOR industry continues to seek innovative solutions for maximizing yield, surface science provides the insights needed to overcome complex reservoir challenges. ### **Enhancing high-pressure emulsion control for EOR success** Stable emulsions help to ensure efficient oil displacement during chemical flooding. By measuring interfacial tension under high-pressure and temperature, i.e. reservoir-like conditions, operators can accurately predict emulsion behavior and refine their chemical formulations for optimal performance. Improved emulsion control leads to more effective displacement, reduced residual oil, and higher recovery rates. **Learn more about surface science methods in EOR in our webinar.** [Watch recording](https://visit.kruss-scientific.com/webinar/elevating-enhanced-oil-recovery?hsLang=en) ### **Understanding reservoir rock wetting for better oil recovery** Wettability determines how easily oil can be displaced from reservoir rock surfaces. By measuring contact angles, operators can identify whether the rock is water- or oil-wet, which helps them to select appropriate surfactants and thus improve displacement efficiency. Optimizing rock wetting conditions leads to higher recovery rates and better overall process control. **Learn about equipment for contact angle measurements even under pressure and temperature conditions of the reservoir.** [Discover the instrument](https://www.kruss-scientific.com/en/products-services/products/dsa100hp690) ### **Optimizing microemulsions with spinning drop tensiometry** Microemulsions are stable mixtures of water, oil, and surfactants. Unlike regular oil and water mixtures, they blend at a nanoscopic level to form a homogeneous fluid without energy input, which does not separate without chemical/physical measures. Microemulsions are especially useful in EOR because they can mobilize trapped oil that is left behind after traditional extraction methods. By reducing the tension between oil and water, more oil is swept out of the rock and into production. One of the key properties that makes microemulsions so effective is their extremely low interfacial tension—sometimes reaching as low as 10⁻⁶ mN/m. Spinning drop tensiometers, like the SDT, are designed to measure these ultra-low values. This allows operators to find the right concentration and conditions for forming a microemulsion and make informed adjustments to the formulation, improving the efficiency of oil recovery. **Dive deeper into how ultralow interfacial tension impacts EOR in our application report.** [Read application report](https://www.kruss-scientific.com/en/know-how/application-reports/ar273-ultralow-interfacial-tension-in-enhanced-oil-recovery-eor) ### **Foam-based techniques** Foam-based EOR methods are increasingly utilized to improve oil recovery by enhancing sweep efficiency and blocking unwanted gas channels. By injecting stable foam into reservoirs, operators can control fluid flow, reduce gas mobility, and optimize the displacement of oil from difficult-to-reach areas. The stability and structure of foam play a crucial role in maximizing EOR performance, and precise foam analysis ensures the ideal conditions for successful recovery. **Read our application report and learn about foam analysis under reservoir conditions.** [Read application report](https://www.kruss-scientific.com/en/know-how/application-reports/ar290-foam-stability-and-foam-structure-under-high-pressure-for-tertiary-oil-production) ## **Increase the recovery rate with our instruments** Have a look at our selection of measuring instruments that help you understand rock wetting, emulsifiability, and foam behavior at standard and reservoir conditions in order to make your EOR methods more efficient. ![kruss-dsa100hp690-diagonal-960x600px](https://24965249.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hub/24965249/hubfs/k-slider-960x600px/kruss-dsa100hp690-diagonal-960x600px.png?height=120&length=120&name=kruss-dsa100hp690-diagonal-960x600px.png) ### DSA100HP690 High pressure interfacial analysis for flooding methods in EOR [Drop Shape Analyzer](https://www.kruss-scientific.com/en/products-services/products/dsa100hp690) ![kruss-hpfa-diagonal-960x600px](https://24965249.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hub/24965249/hubfs/k-slider-960x600px/kruss-hpfa-diagonal-960x600px.jpg?height=120&length=120&name=kruss-hpfa-diagonal-960x600px.jpg) ### HPFA Analysis of foam behavior under oil reservoir conditions [High Pressure Foam Analyzer](https://www.kruss-scientific.com/en/products-services/products/hpfa) ![kruss-sdt-diagonal-isolated-960x600px](https://24965249.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hub/24965249/hubfs/k-slider-960x600px/kruss-sdt-diagonal-isolated-960x600px.png?height=120&length=120&name=kruss-sdt-diagonal-isolated-960x600px.png) ### SDT Measurement of interfacial tension in a wide range for optimizing emulsions [Spinning Drop Tensiometer](https://www.kruss-scientific.com/en/products-services/products/sdt) ![kruss-dfa100-diagonal-960x600px](https://24965249.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hub/24965249/hubfs/k-slider-960x600px/kruss-dfa100-diagonal-960x600px.png?height=120&length=120&name=kruss-dfa100-diagonal-960x600px.png) ### DFA100 The universal instrument for all aspects of liquid foam [Dynamic Foam Analyzer](https://www.kruss-scientific.com/en/products-services/products/dfa100) ![kruss-tensiio-diagonal-960x600px](https://24965249.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hub/24965249/hubfs/k-slider-960x600px/kruss-tensiio-diagonal-960x600px.png?height=120&length=120&name=kruss-tensiio-diagonal-960x600px.png) ### Tensíío The new generation tensiometer for liquid and solid surfaces [Force Tensiometer](https://www.kruss-scientific.com/en/products-services/products/tensiio) ![kruss-dsa30r-diagonal-960x600px](https://24965249.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hub/24965249/hubfs/k-slider-960x600px/kruss-dsa30r-diagonal-960x600px.jpg?height=120&length=120&name=kruss-dsa30r-diagonal-960x600px.jpg) ### DSA30R Analyses in interfacial rheology – time-saving and reproducible [Drop Shape Analyzer](https://www.kruss-scientific.com/en/products-services/products/dsa30r) ##### SERVICES - [Measurement Services](https://www.kruss-scientific.com/en/products-services/measurement-services) - [Technical Services](https://www.kruss-scientific.com/en/products-services/technical-services) - [Webinars & Seminars](https://www.kruss-scientific.com/en/know-how/webinars-and-seminars) - [Remote Support](https://www.kruss-scientific.com/en/remote-support) - [Contact us](https://www.kruss-scientific.com/en/contact) ##### COMPANY - [About us](https://www.kruss-scientific.com/en/company/about-us) - [Job Opportunities](https://www.kruss-scientific.com/en/company/job-opportunities) - [News](https://www.kruss-scientific.com/en/company/news) - [Events](https://www.kruss-scientific.com/en/company/events) ##### GENERAL INFORMATION - [Imprint](https://www.kruss-scientific.com/en/imprint) - [Data Privacy Statement](https://www.kruss-scientific.com/en/data-privacy-statement) - [Cookie policy](https://www.kruss-scientific.com/en/cookie-policy) - [Terms & Conditions](https://www.kruss-scientific.com/en/terms-and-conditions) ##### JOIN THE KRÜSS COMMUNITY