Optimizing cosurfactant in microemulsion for specific oil
In one aspect of the invention a surfactant system comprising water, electrolyte, a surfactant, and a cosurfactant, the system is optimized by equilibrating a series of surfactant systems having different cosurfactants, with oil corresponding to that in the reservoir to be produced and selecting a system having the desired distribution of the cosurfactant into both the oil and the aqueous phases. Preferably, the cosurfactant migrates into the oil phase such that it is present in the upper oil phase and lower aqueous phase in approximately equal amounts. In another aspect, oil is recovered using a surfactant system having a distribution coefficient within the range of 0.6 to 1.5, preferably 0.8 to 1.2, most preferably about 1.
- Assignee:
- Phillips Petroleum Co
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4239628
- OSTI ID:
- 6555164
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 10 Apr 1978
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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