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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Microemulsion flooding process

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7228405
Crude oil remaining in a subterranean formation is recovered through the injection of a microemulsion comprising an oil, i.e., a refined or crude oil, an aqueous medium and as a surfactant, a C/sub 8/--/sub 16/ orthoxylene sulfonate. The aqueous medium is preferably a brine having a salt concentration of up to about 2.5 percent by weight, although increased brine tolerance can be achieved by inclusion of a cosurfactant within the microemulsion. When utilized in the secondary or tertiary recovery of crude oil, the microemulsion is preferably followed by thickened water and thereafter unthickened water injected into and through the subterranean formation. 30 claims, 8 drawing figures
Assignee:
Exxon Production Research Co.
Patent Number(s):
US 3994342
OSTI ID:
7228405
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English