Effects of the surfactant, polymer, and crude oil properties on the formation and stabilization of oil-based foam liquid films: Insights from the microscale

•The mechanism of drainage behavior and Ostwald ripening of oil-based foam liquid film was explained from the micro-scale.•The SDBS molecules in the oil-based foam system aggregate to form spherical micelles rather than directional adsorption.•Although the addition of HPAM molecules adversely affects liquid film formation, it is able to enhance the foam stability.•The stronger interactions between the aromatic hydrocarbons and other polar molecules reduce the foam drainage rate.