Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a surfactant composition comprising an anionic surfactant and optionally an organic amine in which the molar ratio of the organic amine to the anionic surfactant is preferably at least 1:1 and in which the amount of water is at most 40% by weight, which process comprises contacting an organic amine and an acid precursor of the anionic surfactant (“acid surfactant precursor”) by adding the acid surfactant precursor to the organic amine, wherein the molar ratio of the organic amine to the total amount of added acid surfactant precursor is at least 1:1, preferably at least 2:1, and the amount of water is at most 40% by weight based on total amount of mixture.

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 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 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 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.

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 a method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising: a) providing an aqueous composition which comprises i) a surfactant of the formula 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, x is 0 or greater than 0, and X is a sulfate moiety; ii) an acid which has a pKa between 6 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 100 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: The invention relates to a method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising the following steps: a) providing a composition comprising two or more surfactants to at least a portion of the hydrocarbon containing formation having a salinity, wherein said two or more surfactants are selected such that the salinity range within which the interfacial tension between water and the hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon containing formation can be reduced to a certain level is widened as compared to the cases wherein only one of said two or more surfactants is used; and b) allowing said two or more surfactants from the composition to interact with the hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon containing formation.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an amorphous silica particle comprising 0.1 to 105 ppm boron atoms, and optionally 0.05 to 15 wt. % aluminum atoms wherein the boron and aluminum atoms are covalently bonded to the oxygen atoms of the silica network. The amorphous silica particles are used as a reinforcing filler for rubber articles, particularly for tires, more particularly for tire treads.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an amorphous silica particle comprising 0.1 to 105 ppm boron atoms, and optionally 0.05 to 15 wt. % aluminum atoms wherein the boron and aluminum atoms are covalently bonded to the oxygen atoms of the silica network. The amorphous silica particles arc used as a reinforcing filler for rubber articles, particularly for tires, more particularly for tire treads.