Phillips Petroleum Company

Jerry E Pardue

Paul R Stapp

James E Shaw

Sulfonated phenolic compounds as well as sulfomethylated phenolic compounds, surfactant system containing such compound and the use of such surfactant systems in post primary oil recovery are disclosed.

Sulfomethylated phenolic material useful in post primary oil recovery

In accordance with the present invention, oil is recovered from a subsurface earth formation by injecting into the subsurface formation an aqueous surfactant system containing a polyvalent metal carboxylate, as a surfactant, a cosurfactant and an electrolyte in concentrations and proportions to form multiphase system with the reservoir oil, thereafter, injecting into the earth formation a drive fluid to drive the multiphase system through the reservoir and displace a significant amount of the reservoir oil and withdrawing the thus displaced oil from the subsurface earth formation. A novel aqueous surfactant system, adapted to thus recover oil from a subsurface formation, comprises a polyvalent metal carboxylate, such as calcium isosteareate, as a surfactant, and an alcohol having at least five carbon atoms, as a cosurfactant, and an electrolyte, such as sodium chloride, in proportions which form a multiphase system with the reservoir oil.

Surfactant oil recovery systems and recovery of oil therewith

Sulfonated phenolic compounds as well as sulfomethylated phenolic compounds, surfactant systems containing such compound and the use of such surfactant systems in post primary oil recovery are disclosed.

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Bartlesville, OK, United States of America

Jerry E Pardue