Akzo N.v.

Reed Lignin, Inc.

Getty Oil Company

David K Olsen

Francis E Debons

William C Richardson

Larry D Pedersen

Thomas E Burchfield

Feliciano M Llave

A method is disclosed for reducing the permeability of the more permeable zone of an underground formation having nonuniform permeability, the method comprised of injecting into the formation a blend comprised of a surfactant and an alcohol, said blend introduced in an amount effective to reduce the permeability of the more permeable zone of the formation. The preferred surfactant is an amine oxide, most preferably dimethyltallowamine oxide, delivered in water. The preferred alcohol is isopropanol. The disclosed method may optionally comprise the further step of injecting an alcohol slug following injection of the surfactant and alcohol blend.

Method for modifying the permeability of an underground formation

A method of enhanced oil recovery comprising injecting a surfactant system comprised of an oxidized alkali lignin and an anionic and/or nonionic surfactant into a formation containing oil and producing the oil thus mobilized.

Oxidized alkali lignins and their use in enhanced oil recovery

Growing community of inventors

Bartlesville, OK, United States of America

David K Olsen