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

Oil recovery by waterflooding employing a biopolymer-surfactant system

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7311793
A process is described for the recovery of oil from subterranean oil reservoirs by waterflooding employing a multicomponent anionic-nonionic surfactant system in combination with a Xanthomonas polysaccharide thickening agent. The surfactant system and polysaccharide provide for an enhanced thickening action in the injected aqueous liquid at relatively low shear rates. The anionic surfactant employed is an amide-linked sulfonate and the nonionic component is a polyethylene oxide type surfactant. 11 claims, 3 figures.
Assignee:
Mobil Oil Corp.
Patent Number(s):
US 4008766
OSTI ID:
7311793
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English