Abstract: An enhanced oil recovery process comprises injection of water into a subterranean formation followed by the injection of a surfactant such as a micellar fluid and a thickening agent such as a polymer solution to drive oil toward a production well. Temperatures and pressures of injection of the water, surfactant, and thickening agent are controlled so as to thermoelastically fracture the formation behind the oil-water bank to increase the injectivity rate and propagation rate of the slugs of fluids behind the oil-water bank to control the shape of the flood front and to minimize misdirected fracturing ahead of the flood front.