Abstract: The invention relates to process for preparing an internal olefin sulfonate, comprising: a) sulfonating an internal olefin to produce a first sulfonated internal olefin mixture; and b) contacting the first sulfonated internal olefin mixture with water, caustic and a non-ionic surfactant to form a neutralized sulfonated internal olefin mixture wherein greater than 10 wt. % of the non-ionic surfactant is added.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation comprising providing a hydrocarbon recovery composition to at least a portion of the hydrocarbon containing formation and allowing the hydrocarbon recovery composition to contact the formation wherein the hydrocarbon recovery composition comprises an alcohol alkoxy sulfate and an internal olefin sulfonate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrocarbon recovery composition comprising one or more internal olefin sulfonates and/or one or more alkoxylated alcohols and/or alkoxylated alcohol derivatives and a method of recovering hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon formation comprising feeding a hydrocarbon recovery composition into the formation, allowing the hydrocarbon recovery composition to contact the formation for a period of time, and withdrawing a mixture of the hydrocarbon recovery composition and hydrocarbons from the formation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an alkoxylated alcohol composition, wherein the composition comprises an alkoxylated alcohol which is of the formula (I) Formula (I) R—O—[PO]x[EO]y—H wherein R is a hydrocarbyl group which has a weight average carbon number of from 5 to 32, PO is a propylene oxide group, EO is an ethylene oxide group, x is the number of propylene oxide groups and is of from 0 to 40, y is the number of ethylene oxide groups and is of from 0 to 50, and the sum of x and y is of from 5 to 60; and wherein the composition additionally comprises a stabilizer which is a phenolic antioxidant. Further, the invention relates to a process for preparing said alkoxylated alcohol composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising: a) providing an aqueous composition which comprises i) an internal olefin sulfonate (IOS) surfactant; ii) an acid which has a pKa between 4 and 12; and iii) the conjugate base of the acid mentioned under ii), to at least a portion of the hydrocarbon containing formation, by combining the aqueous composition with a hydrocarbon removal fluid to produce an injectable fluid, wherein the hydrocarbon removal fluid comprises 1) water and 2) divalent cations in a concentration of 50 or more parts per million by weight (ppmw), and injecting the injectable fluid into the hydrocarbon containing formation; and b) allowing the surfactant from the injectable fluid to interact with the hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon containing formation.

Abstract: A surfactant composition, which comprises (i) an internal olefin sulfonate and (ii) an alkoxylated alcohol and/or alkoxylated alcohol derivative, wherein the alkoxylated alcohol and/or alkoxylated alcohol derivative is a compound of the formula (I) R—O—[PO]x[EO]y—X wherein R is a hydrocarbyl group which has a weight average carbon number of from 5 to 32, PO is a propylene oxide group, EO is an ethylene oxide group, x is the number of propylene oxide groups and is of from 0 to 40, y is the number of ethylene oxide groups and is of from 0 to 50, and the sum of x and y is of from 5 to 60; and wherein X is selected from the group consisting of: (i) a hydrogen atom; (ii) a group comprising a carboxylate moiety; (iii) a group comprising a sulfate moiety; and (iv) a group comprising a sulfonate moiety.

Abstract: The invention provides a hydrocarbon recovery composition comprising one or more internal olefin sulfonates and a pH buffer. The composition may be injected into a hydrocarbon-containing formation to enhance the recovery of hydrocarbons therefrom. The composition may also be used in a thermal enhanced oil recovery process that includes injecting a hot fluid with the hydrocarbon recovery composition to generate foam.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation wherein an internal olefin sulfonate composition is used, which comprises an internal olefin sulfonate and a second surfactant which is selected from the group consisting of: (1) a compound of the formula (I) R—O—[R?—O]x—X wherein R is a hydrocarbyl group, R?—O is an alkylene oxide group, x is the number of alkylene oxide groups R?—O, and X is selected from the group consisting of: (i) a hydrogen atom; (ii) a group comprising a carboxylate moiety; and (iii) a group comprising a sulfonate moiety; (2) an alpha olefin sulfonate; and (3) an alkyl aromatic sulfonate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an internal olefin sulfonate composition, which comprises an internal olefin sulfonate and a second surfactant which is selected from the group consisting of: (1) a compound of the formula (I) R—O—[R?—O]x—X wherein R is a hydrocarbyl group, R?—O is an alkylene oxide group, x is the number of alkylene oxide groups R?—O, and X is selected from the group consisting of: (i) a hydrogen atom; (ii) a group comprising a carboxylate moiety; and (iii) a group comprising a sulfonate moiety; (2) an alpha olefin sulfonate; and (3) an alkyl aromatic sulfonate; and wherein the weight ratio of the second surfactant to the internal olefin sulfonate is below 1:1. Further, the invention relates to a method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation wherein said internal olefin sulfonate composition is used.