Progress in the application of graphene material in oilfield chemistry: A review

Graphene is a single atom thick crystal composed of carbon atoms. It is the lightest, thinnest, strongest material that conducts heat and electricity well heretofore. In terms of application, by introducing oxygen-containing groups, graphene can be well dispersed in solvents, can be chemically modified and functionalized, or connected with other electroactive substances through covalent bond or non-covalent bond to form composite materials, which is conducive to further processing and promotion. The application of graphene in oilfield chemistry started late, but developed rapidly. Graphene has played an active role in drilling fluid, cementing fluid, fracturing fluid, displacement fluid and other oilfield working fluids. It can enhance the temperature and salt resistance of working fluid and improve the effect of working fluid. In this paper, several directions of graphene applications in oilfield chemistry, such as modified graphene, graphene copolymers and graphene nanoparticles, are reviewed in detail from the synthesis methods, action mechanisms and effects of graphene and its derivatives, and the frontier cases at this stage are given. On the basis of the existing research, suggestions for the development direction of graphene materials in oilfield chemistry are given for a variety of graphene materials, aiming to provide guidance for the application of graphene in oilfield chemistry.