Abstract: Disclosed is a clear, crosslinked, polymeric gel composition that is the reaction product of a microemulsion containing (a) from 1-70 wt. %, preferably from 1-40 wt. %, and more preferably from 10-25 wt. % of an anhydride functionalized polymer, (b) from 0.1-40 wt. %, preferably from 0.1-20 wt. %, and most preferably from 0.5-5 wt. % of a cross-linking agent, (c) from 0.01-50 wt. %, preferably from 0.1-20 wt. %, and more preferably from 0.5-10 wt. % surfactant, (d) from 0.01-30 wt. %, preferably from 0.1-10 wt. %, and more preferably from 0.1-5 wt. % water, and (e) from 10.0-95.0 wt. % of a hydrophobic liquid, based on the total weight of the polymeric gel composition. The gel composition is prepared by combining the anhydride functionalized polymer, the cross-linking agent, the surfactant, the water, and the hydrophobic liquid-form a microemulsion and then gelling the microemulsion.