摘要 |
A process for the recovery of extensively emulsion-free oil from a subterranean reservoir of medium or high salinity comprises forcing into an injection well a 0.1-20% (e.g., 1-20%) by weight solution or dispersion in formation water of carboxymethylated ethoxylates of the formula R-(OCH2CH2)n-OCH2-COOM, wherein R is a linear or branched aliphatic residue of 4-20 carbon atoms or an alkylaromatic or dialkylaromatic residue of 1-14 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, n is 1-30, e.g., 3-30, and M is an alkali or alkaline earth metal ion or ammonium, and the degree of carboxymethylation is between 10 and 100%, wherein the carboxymethylated oxethylate is selected so that the phase inversion temperature of the system: crude oil/formation water/tenside/optional additives, is 0 DEG -10 DEG C. above the reservoir temperature.
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