Research subject: Following the implementation of primary and secondary recovery processes in hydrocarbon reservoirs, enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods are employed to increase extraction efficiency further. Among the most prominent techniques within this domain is chemical enhanced oil recovery (CEOR), encompassing well-established methods such as polymer flooding, polymer–surfactant hybrid flooding, polymer–nanoparticle flooding, and alkaline–surfactant–polymer (ASP) flooding. Despite their proven efficacy, these conventional approaches are often hindered by high operational costs, technical and operational complexities, and potential environmental concerns. In light of these challenges, polymeric surfactants have recently emerged as a promising and viable alternative, offering the dual functionality of viscosity enhancement and interfacial tension (IFT) reduction in a single agent.
Research approach: This study presents a comprehensive review and critical evaluation of recent research efforts concerning the application of polymeric surfactants in oil recovery processes. Key mechanisms, including viscosity modulation, IFT reduction, and wettability alteration, were systematically analyzed. Furthermore, limitations associated with the synthesis of these materials, elevated production costs, and the fragmented nature of available field data were considered. The review seeks to identify performance trends and knowledge gaps to guide future investigations.
Main results: The findings indicate that, under most reservoir conditions, polymeric surfactants have the potential to significantly improve oil recovery factors. However, their widespread implementation is currently constrained by complex synthesis procedures, economic barriers, and the lack of extensive field validation. This research synthesizes the latest advancements and offers recommendations for future work, including formulation optimization, cost-reduction strategies, and the design of large-scale field trials to assess real-world performance.