Behavior characteristics of hydrocarbon transport in micro/nanochannel based on microfluidics and its implications: A review

The complex transport behavior of hydrocarbons in micro/nanochannels leads to inaccuracies in identifying hydrocarbon accumulation zones, as well as to hydrocarbon leakage. Hydrocarbon movement through confined channels is difficult to characterize and understand in detail because it involves complex hydrodynamic behaviors of hydrocarbon under the joint effects of various physical and chemical effects. Microfluidic platforms provide a powerful means to directly visualize and quantify these confined transport behaviors. In this work, we summarize recent theoretical and experimental advances enabled by microfluidic approaches and highlight five dominant mechanisms governing hydrocarbon transport in micro/nanochannels: (1) molecular sieving and adsorption jointly control the lower transport limit; (2) asphaltene aggregation induces pore blockage; (3) wall slip triggers ultrafast flow; (4) strong confinement shifts the hydrocarbon phase envelope; (5) wettability and roughness modulate capillary retention and flow resistance. Integrating these insights into reservoir simulation frameworks will improve the accuracy of hydrocarbon flow prediction.