This study provides a comprehensive review of nano-particles and nano-composites applications in oilfield, focusing on their roles in enhanced oil recovery (EOR), asphaltene deposition mitigation, and CO2 storage. Building on prior research, it identifies the most promising nanotechnology-based approaches and outlines a detailed roadmap for future breakthroughs. Thus, in this regard, the review evaluates 21 nanomaterials, including Al2O3 (γ/α phases), SiO2, MgO, CuO, ZrO2, NiO, graphene oxide (GO), SnO, CaCO3, CeO2, TiO2, carbon nanotubes (CNT), and hybrid composites (e.g., SiO2/γ-Al2O3, TiO2/MgO, ZnO/γ-Al2O3, ZnO/CuO, ZnO/ZrO2, TiO2/SiO2, TiO2/ZnO, Fe₃O4/SiO2, and CuO/Al2O3), demonstrating their superior performance in improving operational efficiency. The findings demonstrate that nanotechnology offers superior performance, highlighting its potential to revolutionize the oil industry by improving oil production efficiency. On the other hand, nano-particles such as ZnO, Al2O3, SiO2, and TiO2 stand out due to their strong adsorption capacity, thermal stability, and ability to tune deposition mechanisms. Also, notably, nano-composites (such as SiO2+Al2O3 and Fe2O3+Al2O3) excel in asphaltene inhibition due to synergistic nano-particle-hydrocarbon interactions. The results also show that nano-composites (TiO2@SiO2) increase the integrity of CO2 storage. Generally, this study highlights key challenges hindering large-scale implementation and serves as a critical resource for researchers advancing nanotechnology in petroleum engineering.
