a comprehensive review of ultrasonic-assisted oil recovery: principles, applications, and future prospects

Ultrasonic waves have emerged as a transformative technology in enhanced oil recovery (eor), offering solutions to critical challenges such as low recovery efficiency, reservoir heterogeneity, and high operational costs. this review explores the principles, mechanisms, and applications of ultrasonic waves in oil recovery, highlighting their ability to reduce interfacial tension, improve fluid mobility, and enhance reservoir permeability. key findings from case studies indicate that ultrasonic-assisted eor can increase recovery rates by up to 60%, reduce chemical dependency, and lower environmental impact compared to conventional methods. the primary objective of this review is to synthesize existing research on ultrasonic wave applications in eor, identify gaps in knowledge, and propose pathways for future advancements. methodologies analyzed include laboratory-scale experiments, field applications, and modeling studies that evaluate the effects of ultrasonic parameters such as frequency, amplitude, and power density on recovery performance. by providing a comprehensive understanding of ultrasonic-assisted oil recovery, this study underscores its potential to revolutionize hydrocarbon production, especially in challenging reservoirs. future research directions include optimizing ultrasonic parameters for specific reservoir conditions and integrating this technology with hybrid recovery methods for enhanced efficiency and scalability.