Abstract: A process for the enhanced recovery of oil from a subterranean formation using a polymer-microemulsion complex is disclosed. The polymer is polyethylene oxide or polyvinyl pyrrolidone and interacts with the surfactant of the microemulsion to form a physical association. The resulting complex is characterized by a complexation energy of at least 2 Kcal/mole. Slugs containing the present polymer-microemulsion complexes are stable at high salinity, show reduced destabilization due to surfactant adsorption and retention by the formation, have low interfacial tensions and achieve an early banking, as well as increased displacement of crude oil.

Abstract: A polymer-microemulsion complex useful for the enhanced recovery of crude oil is disclosed. The polymer is polyethylene oxide or polyvinyl pyrrolidone and interacts with the surfactant of the microemulsion to form a physical association. The resulting complex is characterized by a complexation energy of at least 2 Kcal/mole. The polymer microemulsion complexes are stable at high salinity, reduce adsorption and retention by the formation, lower interfacial tension, achieve retentions as low as 0.1 mg surfactant/gm sand at high salinity and provide for early banking, as well as high recovery of oil.

Abstract: This patent relates to thermoplastic blend compositions having improved stiffness and increased glass transition temperature, wherein a major portion of polar thermoplastic resin is compounded with a minor portion of a neutralized sulfonated polymer. The neutralized sulfonated polymers of the present invention included sulfonated polystyrene butadiene copolymers, sulfonated butyl rubber, sulfonated EPDM and other sulfonated elastomeric polymers. The thermoplastic polar resins having a halogen-carbon bond include polyvinyl chloride.