US Patent:
20090281003, Nov 12, 2009
Inventors:
Gordon Thomas SHAHIN - Bellaire TX, US
Joseph Michael REDICAN - Pearland TX, US
International Classification:
C09K 8/60
Abstract:
A method including a) injecting into the formation an aqueous solution containing a polymer and a surfactant to create a organic phase and a aqueous phase, the surfactant being capable of reducing the interfacial tension between the phases to less than 1 dyne/cm; b) recovering a portion of the organic and aqueous phases containing at least a portion of the polymer and surfactant components and a portion of native petroleum surfactants generated in the porous formation; c) adjusting the conditions of the recovered portions to force a portion of the polymer and surfactant from one phase into the other phase by use of chemical, physical, electrical or gravitational means or a combination of said means; d) separating the polymer- and surfactant-containing phase; e) concentrating the polymer and surfactant components in the separated phase; and f) re-injecting at least a portion of the concentrated polymer and surfactant components into the formation.
