Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

---

America leads the world in oil production, but primary oil recovery methods can leave behind two-thirds of the original oil. Scientists are using neutrons at ORNL to help visualize flow patterns for better extraction techniques, unleashing new potential for enhanced domestic oil recovery.
Transcript: America leads the world in oil production, but primary oil recovery methods can leave behind two-thirds of the original oil. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is injected into mature oil reservoirs to displace the trapped oil using an enhanced oil recovery technique known as CO2 huff-n-puff. Researchers at ORNL use neutrons to reveal fluid dynamics within the rock. Neutrons help visualize flow patterns for better extraction techniques, unleashing the potential for enhanced domestic oil recovery.

ORNL is using #BigScience to make a big impact. Learn more: ornl.gov/bigscience