The biomaterials have gained the attention for utilization as sustainable alternatives for petroleum-derived products due to the rapid depletion of petroleum resources and environmental issues. Chitosan is an economical, renewable and abundant polysaccharide having unique molecular characteristics. Chitosan is derived by deacetylation of chitin, a natural polysaccharide existing in insects' exoskeleton, outer shells of crustaceans, and some fungi cell walls. Chitosan is widely used in numerous domains like agriculture, food, water treatment, medicine, cosmetics, fisheries, packaging, and chemical industry. This review aims to account for all the efforts made towards chitosan and its derivatives for utilization in the petroleum industry and related processes including exploration, extraction, refining, transporting oil spillages, and wastewater treatment. This review includes a compilation of various chemical modifications of chitosan to enhance the petroleum field's performance and applicability.
Keywords: Biodiesel; Bitumen; Chitosan; Drilling fluid; EOR; Greases; Lubricant; Oil spillage; Refinery wastewater; Wellbore treatment.
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