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U.S. Department of Energy
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Oil recovery process utilizing a thickened aqueous flooding medium

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5464231
A method is described for recovering oil employing an aqueous flooding medium containing a sulfonated poly (2-R-6R'--, 4-phenylene oxide) wherein R is hydrogen or an aliphatic group containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and R' is an aliphatic group containing from 14 to 20 carbon atoms with at least 14 carbon atoms in a straight chain. The aqueous solution of the sulfonated polymer exhibits the property of undergoing an increase in viscosity with an increase in salt concentration. The aqueous flooding medium may contain a salt, or an aqueous solution of a salt may be injected prior to or subsequent to the flooding medium. (10 claims)
Assignee:
Mobil Oil Corp.
Patent Number(s):
US 3530938
OSTI ID:
5464231
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English