OIL RECOVERY METHOD USING SULFONATE SURFACTANTS DERIVED FROM EXTRACTED AROMATIC FEEDSTOCKS

摘要

An oil recovery method is disclosed which uses a particular class of alkylaryl sulfonate surfactants. The surfactants are derived from an extracted aromatic feedstock consisting essentially of benzene, toluene, xylenes, and lesser amounts of ethylbenzene, trimethylbenzenes, and tetramethylbenzenes. The aromatic feedstock is then alkylated with linear .alpha.-olefins to favor second-carbon attachment, and sulfonated to result in surfactants having high oil solubilization parameters and whose phase behavior is substantially independent of temperature over 120.degree.-250.degree. Fahrenheit.