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Oil recovery process using alkyl hydroxyaromatic dianionic surfactants as mobility control agents

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5869626

A method is described for recovering oil from a subterranean oil-containing formation comprising injecting into the formation through an injection well in communication therewith a gas selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, hydrocarbon gas, inert gas, and steam, and injecting into the formation an aqueous solution containing a surfactant characterized by the formula where R is a linear or branched chain alkyl group with n carbon atoms wherein n ranges from 0 to about 18, except that if the gas is steam n ranges from about 9 to about 30; x ranges from 0 to about 20 and y ranges from 0 to about 20, provided x+y does not exceed about 20; R' is a linear or branched chain alkyl group with m carbon atoms wherein m ranges from 0 to 4, except that if the gas is steam m ranges from 1 to 4, with the proviso that the sum of x+y+m is at least one; and each M/sup +/ is a cation.

Assignee:
Exxon Production Research Co., Houston, TX
Patent Number(s):
US 4828032
OSTI ID:
5869626
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English