In this study, scattering parameters of sandstone saturated with brine and nanofluids are evaluated experimentally and numerically for the application in enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Zinc Oxide (ZnO) and Bismuth ferrite BiFeO3 (BFO) nanoparticles were synthesized via facile sol�gel method followed by nanofluid preparation. Sandstone samples were saturated with brine and nanofluids for 48 h. Electromagnetic properties of the saturated sandstones were measured experimentally using the vector network analyzer, and the scattering parameters of the samples were studied numerically by finite element method. BFO displayed higher permeability value of 1.52 and 1.30, as well as superior dielectric permittivity value 11.55 and 6.59 for real and imaginary parts, respectively. In addition, the sandstone saturated with BFO showed an impressive reflection loss (RL) value of �9.77 dB at high frequency. Conclusively, BiFeO3 nanofluids showed the best potential to enhance oil recovery which can be accredited to the superior electromagnetic properties of BFO. © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group