enhanced recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir injects a gaseous reactant and a dispersion of oil , water , and nano - hybrid catalysts through an injection well into a subterranean formation . the combination of the dispersion and gaseous reactant forms a stabilized foam within the subterranean formation . when the foam reaches an oil - water inter - face , the nanohybrid catalysts catalytically partially oxidize the hydrocarbons present at the oil - water interface thereby increasing the capillary number and decreasing the interfacial tension at the oil - water interface .