GB2031482A

GB2031482A - Oil recovery by fluorochemical surfactant waterflooding

Info

Publication number: GB2031482A
Application number: GB7919722A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Ciba Geigy AG
Current assignee: Novartis AG
Priority date: 1978-09-22
Filing date: 1979-06-06
Publication date: 1980-04-23
Also published as: IT1117222B; NO149557B; NO149557C; DE2922928A1; JPS621071B2; NL7904448A; FR2436778B1; FR2436874A1; BR7903621A; GB2031482B; AU4761279A; MX151129A; JPS5542996A; CA1141146A; FR2436874B1; NO791889L; FR2436778A1; IT7949325A0; DE2922928C2; AU529095B2

Abstract

An aqueous based liquid for use in the recovery of oil from subterranean oil reservoirs comprises a fluorochemical surfactant possessing an oleophobic-hydrophobic fluoroaliphatic group, a hydrophilic group and an oleophilic group, optionally in conjugation with a conventional enhanced oil recovery surfactant.

Description

SPECIFICATION Oil recovery by fluorochemical surfactant waterflooding In the recovery of oil from oil-bearing reservoirs, it is ordinarily possible to recover only a minor portion of the original oil in place by the so-called primary recovery methods which utilize only the natural forces present in the reservoir. In order to increase oil recovery over that economically recovered using such natural forces, a variety of enhanced recovery techniques have been developed. One of the most widely used enhanced recovery techniques involves the use of waterflooding. The water is ordinarily injected into the reservoir to push the crude oil toward producing wells.The amount of oil recovered by water flooding depends upon such factors as interfacial tension between the water and the crude oil, the relative mobilities of the crude oil and the water, and the wettability characteristics of the rocks holding the oil in the reservoir.

In order to increase the effectiveness of the waterflooding techniques, surfactants have been added to the water. The surfactant lowers the surface tension of the aqueous liquid and the interfacial tension between the aqueous liquid and the petroleum and increases the waterwetting properties thereof thereby reducing the capillary forces in the subterranean formation being treated. This aids in dislodging the oil from the subterranean sand and rock formations.

Most commonly, aqueous compositions containing petroleum sulfonates have been used advantageously in combination with controlled amounts of NaCI. Also, sodium carbonate and/or sodium tripolyphosphate may be added to such composition as an adjuvant in protecting the petroleum sulfonate surfactant from loss due to precipitation reactions with divalent cations.

Moreover, the use of thickening agents has been proposed in order to increase the sweep efficiency of the water flood. One water flood technique involves the use of a preflush or conditioning slug, to minimize the amount of divalent cations (e.g., Ca2+, Mg2+) which would precipitate or absorb the surfactant, a surfactant containing slug to loosen and dislodge the oil from the sand and rock, and a mobility buffer slug, which can be used to push against the surfactant system.

The preflush or conditioning slug is free from cations which would impair the surfactant and may contain, in part or whole, solutions of sodium carbonate and sodium tripolyphosphate and the like. Optionally NaCI brine may be then injected to optimize the salt concentration for optimum surfactant performance. The sodium ions also displace the calcium and magnesium ions. Strong acid may be used to break up carbonate rock formation. After injection with the aqueous surfactant solution, the mobility buffer slug is injected. The mobility buffer usually contains a water soluble polymer such as polyacrylamide or a bio-polymer (e.g., natural gums).

Subsequent to the injection of the mobility buffer or control slug, a driving fluid is injected in order to displace the previously injected fluids through the sand or rock formation. The nature of the driving fluid is not critical and may, for example, be locally available water. The driving fluid should not, however, be incompatible with the subterranean formation. In one embodiment of the aforementioned technique using a preflush slug, surfactant slug and mobility buffer slug, the surfactant slug is in the form of an aqueous microemulsion of oil, in combination with petroleum sulfonates, co-surfactants, such as alcohols and electrolytes.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of treating subterranean formations to stimulate the flow of oil therefrom, and surfactant compositions for use in such treatments.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of oil recovery from subterranean reservoirs, by injection of an aqueous surfactant compositions to dislodge oil from said reservoirs, wherein the surfactant is a compound of the formula (1) Rf-Zm-AQnRHC wherein Rf is a hydrophobic-oleophobic fluoroaliphatic group of 4 to 24 carbon atoms, Z is a divalent linking group, A is a divalent hydrophilic organic radical, Q is a divalent linking group, RHC is an hydrophobic-oleophilic aliphatic radical of 6 to 24 carbon atoms, or an araliphatic radical of at least 9 carbon atoms, and m and n are independently 0 to 1, said fluorochemical surfactants are those which correspond to the above formula and provide a solubility in water at 30"C of at least 0.01% by weight, exhibit a surface tension of less than 30 dynes/cm at 0.1% by weight actives in deionized water, and exhibit an interfacial tension of less than 1 2 dynes/cm at 0. 1% by weight actives in deionized water, measured against cyclohexane.

Optionally the aqueous surfactant composition contains further surfactants e.g. of the nonfluorinated type, which are anionics, mixtures of anionics and nonionics or cationics. The solubility of the eligible surfactants in deionized water may be less than that concentration used (0.1% by weight in deionized water) in measuring surface and interfacial tensions. In such cases, the measurements are done in a saturated heterogenous aqueous system containing 0. 1 O/o of the fluoroaliphatic surfactant in deionized water.

Preferably, the fluoroaliphatic surfactant exhibits a surface tension at 0. 1% actives in deionized water of about 16 to 28 dynes/cm and an interfacial tension of less than 12 dynes/cm for example of about 4 to 10 dynes/cm in deionized water, measured against cyclohexane.

The fluoroaliphatic surfactants ordinarily contain at least 2 to 50% fluorine by weight, and preferably 5 to 35% fluorine by weight.

The Rf radical is advantageously a straight or branched chain perfluoraliphatic radical which contains 4 to 24 carbon atoms and may be interrupted by oxygen.

In a preferred embodiment, the Rf group is straight or branched chain perfluoralkyl of 4 to 20 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain perfluoroalkenyl of 4 to 20 carbon atoms, or straight or branched chain perfluoroalkyl-polyperfluoroalkoxy-perfluoroalkylene of up to 24 carbon atoms.

Suitable Rf groups are those having the following formulae: (2) CnF2n + 1 where n is 4 to 20; (3) CnF where n is 4 to 20; and (4) CmFzm t, (CpF2pO)qCrFo where m is 1 to 3, p is 2 to 4, q is O to 6, and r is 1 to 10, with the proviso that m + p + q + r is at least 4.

Suitable Rf groups of formula (2) are CF3(CF2)-where x is 3 to 19 and mixtures thereof, as well as those of the type

and mixtures thereof.

Suitable Rf groups of formula (3) are those of the type CF3(CF2)0 8-CF = CF(CF2-)rr and mixtures thereof, as well as branched chain analogs such as

Exemplary Rf groups of formula (4) are those of the type

CF3-O-(-CF2CF20-)1 5 (-CF2-)Z-4 CF3-O-(-CF2CF2CF20-)1 5 (-CF2-)2-4 and

and mixtures thereof.

The Rf radical may also contain substituents other than fluorine, such as chloro and hydrogen.

However, ordinarily not more than 20% of such substituents should be other than fluorine in order for the radical to maintain its hydrophobic-oleophobic character.

Suitable Rf radicals containing such other substituents include the following H(CF2-) ; and

where a is O to 8, and b is O to 8, with the proviso that (a + b) is between 2 and 16.

The nature of the divalent linking group Z, when present, is not critical as long as it performs the essential function of convalently bonding the fluoroaliphatic group, Rf, to the hydrophilic organic radical A.

Thus, Z may, for example, be selected from the following -C,-C6 alkylene-, -phenylene-, -(C, -C6-alkylene)-R, -(, -C6-alkylene)-, -(C,-C6-alkylene)-R',), -R,-(C, -C6-alkylene)-, -R,-(C, -C6-alkylene-R',)-, -R1-phenylene-(C1-C8-alkylene-R'1)-, -R,-phenylene-, or -phenylene-R', wherein, in each case, said alkylene and phenylene are independently unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy, halogen, nitro, carboxy, C,-C6-alkoxy, C,-C6-alkanoyl, C,-C6-carbalkoxy, C,-C6-alkanoyloxy or C1-C6-alkanoylamino. The alkylene radical may be straight or branched chain.

R, and R', independently represent

-CO-, -NR2CO-, -C NR2-,

-OCON R2-, -O-, -S-, -SO-, -SO2-, - -NR2S02-, S02NR2-, -NR2CONR2-, -N R2-SO2-N R2-,

-SO,O-, -OSO2-, -OSO20-,

R2 is hydrogen, C,-C6-alkyl or C,-C6-alkyl substituted by: C,-C6-alkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, carboxy, C,-C6-carbalkoxy, C,-C6-alkanoyloxy or C,-C6-alkanoylamino.

In addition, Z may contain a cycloaliphatic or heterocyclic radical.

Thus, for example, R, may additionally represent

where R3 is -OR2, -OM where M is hereinafter defined, or -NHR2; R4 is -O- or

and B5 is hydrogen, halogen, C,-C6-alkyl or C,-C6-alkoxy; or R, is

Suitable hydrophilic radicals A are for example, those hydrophilic divaient radical of the following formulae:

wherein R6 is hydrogen; or a mixture of hydrogen and methyl, with the proviso that such R6 are predominantly hydrogen;

where R7 is hydrogen, lower alkyl or hydroxyethyl;

wherein R7 is hydrogen or hydroxyethyl;

where t is 1 to 3 and R8 is lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl or -(-CH2CH20)sH;

where t is 1 to 3 and T is -SO3M, -COOM, -PO3M, -OSO3M 9r -OPO3M2, and M is hydrogen, ammonium or an alkali metal cation; or

wherein Rg, R10 and R1, are idependently hydrogen;C1-C4-alkyl or C2-C4-alkyl substituted by hydroxy, C,-C4-alkoxy or hydroxy-C2-C4-alkoxy; and one of B9 and Rro may additionally represent benzyl; u is O or 1; Rt, is additionally C,-C6-alkylene substituted by sulfo or carboxy; X is an acetate, halo, methosulfate or hydroxyl anion where u is 1 and R" is other than said C,-C6-alkylene; and t is 1 to 3.

In each of the above formulae where mentioned, s is 2 to 60, preferably 5 to 25.

Mixtures of the afore-mentioned hydrophilic radicals may be present.

Also contemplated are hydrophilic divalent radicals wherein at least a portion of the hydrophilic character is due to a pendant group such as divalent radical of the formulae:

where n, is O to 20 and n2 is 1 to 20;

where n, and n3 are independently 0 to 20 and n2 and n4 are independently 1 to 20;

wherein n5 is independently 2 to 20 and n6 is independently 1 to 10; or

where R,4 is hydrogen, C-C4 alkyl, or (OCH2CH2)n4 OH; y, and y2 are independently 0 to 4; y3 is 1 to 8; and n2 and n4 are independently 1 to 20.

Q is a divalent linking group, and, like Z, is not critical as long as it performs the essential function of covalently bonding the hydrophilic organic radical A to the hydrophobic-oleophilic group BHc.

Thus, the linking group Q is independently selected from those groups recited supra for Z, with the proviso that when R, or R', are directly bonded to A, and A terminates in an oxy or amino ligand; and R', in this position is other than

BHc is a hydrophobic-oleophilic, aliphatic or araliphatic mono-valent group.

Suitable BHc groups include hydrophobic-oleophilic higher alkyl or alkenyl or 6-24 carbon atoms, which are unsubstituted or substituted by: chloro, bromo, alkoxy of up to 1 8 carbon atoms, nitro, alkanoyl of up to 1 8 carbon atoms, alkylmercapto of up to 1 8 carbon atoms, amino, C,-C,8-alkylamino or di-C,-C,8-alkylamino.

Preferably, BHC is said alkyl or alkenyl of at least 8 carbon atoms. The alkyl and alkenyl groups may be straight or branched chain. Mixtures thereof may be used.

In addition, the BHc group may be a group of the formula

wherein B5 is C,-C6-alkyl, n7 is 5 to 20, and R6 is hydrogen or alkyl of up to 24 carbon atoms.

Moreover, the BHc group may be a hydrophobic-oleophilic araliphatic radical of at least 9 carbon atoms.

Suitable such groups include those of the formula:

where n6 is O to 1; R,5 is alkyl of up to 20 carbon atoms, alkoxy of up to 20 carbon atoms, alkanoyl of up to 20 carbon atoms, mono- or dialkylamino of up to 20 carbon atoms, alkylmercapto of up to 20 carbon atoms, alkanoyloxy of up to 20 carbon atoms, or carbalkoxy of up to 20 carbon atoms; Ra6 is hydrogen, halogen, nitro or R15.

Also contemplated are hydrophobic-oleophilic groups of the formula

where n8, R,5 and R,6 are defined as above.

In addition, the group -Q-RHC where n is 1 may represent a group of the formula

where R,7 and R,8 are independently higher alkyl groups of 6 to 24 carbon atoms, or the group

wherein R,g and R20 are higher alkyl of 6 to 24 carbon atoms.

Preferred compounds are those which are substantially nonionic; i.e., free from strongly acidic groups, such as -SO3H and -PO3H and free from strongly basic quaternary ammonium groups.

Amongst such preferred substantially nonionic surfactants especially highlighted are those which both exhibit a surface tension at 0. 1% actives in deionized water of about 1 to 28 dynes/cm, provide a solubility in water of at least 0.01% by weight, exhibit an interfacial tension of less than 1 2 dynes/cm at 0. 1% by weight actives in deionized water measured against cyclohexane and wherein the corresponding hydrocarbon surfactant RHC-O,-A-OH, has an apparent HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) in the range of about 5 to 24, and preferably in the range of about 12 to 18.

The HLB of a substantially nonionic hydrocarbon surfactant is a well known indication of the percentage weight of the hydrophilic portion of the nonionic hydrocarbon surfactant molecule.

See, for example Ind. and Eng. Chem.. Anal. Ed. Vol. 18, page 500 (1946).

An especially preferred class of fluorochemical surfactants are those of the formula (5) Rf Znn(CH2CH2 )sQnRHC wherein RF straight or branched claim perfluoroalkyl of 4 to 20, especially of 4 to 12 carbon atoms, Bc is alkyl of 6 to 24, preferably 12 to 18, carbon atoms or

where R2, is alkyl of 3 to 20, preferably of 6 to 12 carbon atoms and R22 is hydrogen, halogen (chloro, bromo, fluoro), nitro or R2,; m is O or 1; s is 5 to 30; Z is -COO-, -S03-, -O-, -C, -C4-alkylene-COO-, -C, -C4-alkylene-SO3,

n is O or 1; and Q is -CO or -SO2-.

Preferred are those compounds of formula (5), wherein Bf, BHc and s have the indicated meanings and m and n are zero.

Preferred are also those compounds of formula (5) wherein Z is

such as of the formula

or wherein Z is

such as the formula

wherein Rf, BHc and s have the meanings indicated above.

The compounds of formula (7) are new and, as such, form part of the present invention.

The fluorochemical surfactants used in accordance with the instant invention can be prepared according to known procedures. Thus, for example, the fluorochemical surfactants can be prepared by reacting known hydrocarbon surfactants of the formula RHC-QnAOH or RHC-QnA-NHR2 with a fluoroaliphatic acid halide in an inert solvent.

For example, CF3(CF2)7SO2F, prepared according to US-Patent Specification 2,759,019 can be reacted with H(OCH2CH2)520 N(stearyl)2 in diethyl ether as a solvent vehicle and pyridine or triethylamine as acid acceptor, to yield the corresponding ester of the formula CF3(CF2)7SO2(OCH 2CH 2)20 N(stearyl)2.

Analogously, n-C3F7OCF(CF3)COF as disclosed in Canadian Patent Specification 725,740, can be reacted with octylphenoxy-poly(ethyleneoxy) ethanol having an average molecular weight between 514 and 778 in the presence of diethyl ether and pyridine as acid acceptor to yield the corresponding ester.

Alternatively, alpha-perfluoroalkene of the formula CnF2n, where n is 6-20 can be reacted with a hydrocarbon surfactant of the formula RHC-Q-A-OH in the presence of potassium carbonate in an inert solvent, such as methyl ethyl ketone or acetone at a temperature of 20-70"C, to yield the corresponding fluoroaliphatic ether.

For example, an oleic acid-ethylene oxide condensate (molecular weight of about 680) can be reacted with tetrafluoroethylene pentamer in the presence of potassium carbonate in acetone to yield a product of the formula C,oF19O(CH2CH2O),oCOC15H29. If a mixture of cetyl/oleylethylene oxide condendate is used (molecular weight of about 550), the corresponding cetyl/oleyl ether product is obtained having the formula C,0F19O(CH2CH2O),oC,6H3"33.

Such compounds and their preparation are disclosed in British Patent Specification 1,371,054.

Alternatively, fluoroaliphatic isocyanates and carbamic acid halides can be reacted with hydrocarbon surfactants of the formula R,,-Q,-A-OH or REHC-Q-A-NHR2 to yield the corresponding urethanes and ureas, respectively. The reactions are advantageously carried out in the presence of an inert medium at temperatures of 20 to 50"C. Where the fluoroaliphatic carbamic acid halide is a reactant, a tertiary amine, such as triethyl amine or pyridine, is advantageously added to promote the reaction and remove the hydrogen halide formed.

For example, 1,1-dihydroperfluorooctyl carbamyl chloride, of the formula C7F,5CH2NHCOCI, prepared in accordance with German Patent Specification 1,145,606, is added slowly to ethoxylated (15 moles) coco fatty acid in diethyl ether, in the presence of triethyl amine as an HCI getter, while stirring. The resulting product has the formula C7F,5CH2NHCOO-(-CH2CH2-O-hrCORHCt where BHC is the coco fatty acid hydrocarbon residue.

Similarly, CF3(CF2)6NCO, prepared in accordance with US-Patent Specification 2,617,817, can be reacted with a stearic or lauric acid amide-ethylenimine (4 to 6 mole) condendate, such as those described in US-Patent Specification 2,163,807 for example, in an inert diluent to form a product of the formula CF3(CF2)6NHCO(NHCH2CH2-)5n-NHCO-RHC wherein BHc is the hydrocarbon residue of stearic or lauric acid.

The product can be neutralized with aqueous HCI or H2SO4 to obtain the corresponding salts, or can be alkylated with dimethylsulfate or a methyl halide, such as methyl bromide to form the tertiary and quaternary ammonium derivatives thereof. Alternatively, the product can be reacted with ethylene oxide, e.g.. in amounts of 4 to 1 5 moles per mole of product, to form the ethoxylated derivatives thereof, in the presence of an HCI catalyst.

Analogously, phosgene can be reacted with nonionic hydrocarbon surfactants of the formula RHC-Qh-A-OH to form the corresponding chloroformate and the acid chloride reacted with a fluoroaliphatic alcohol or amine to form the corresponding carbonate or urethane, respectively.

Advantageously, the reactions are conducted in the presence of a tertiary amine, such as triethylamine, and an inert diluent.

For example, C12H25S(CH2CH2O-) 10 H, can be reacted with phosgene in the presence of triethyl amine to yield the corresponding acid chloride, C,2H25S(CH2CH2O)10COCI, which in turn, is reacted with a fluoroaliphatic alcohol such as (CF3)2CFO-CF2CF2-CH2CH2CONH(CH2)3OH, disclosed in US-Patent Specification 3,697,564, in the presence of triethylamine in diethyl ether to yield a product of the formula (CF3)CFO-CF2CF2CH2CH2CONH(CH2)3OCO(OCH2CH2-) 10 S-C12H25.

Likewise, C10F19OC6H4SO2Cl, as described in British Patent Specification Nos. 1 , 1 30,822 and 1 270,662 can be reacted with polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate in the presence of triethylamine in an inert diluent to obtain the corresponding ester.

Advantageously, the fluorochemical surfactants can be made by reacting a hydrocarbon surfactant of the formula RHC-Q-A-OH with an equimolar amount of toluene diisocyanate to form the 1:1 urethane adduct thereof, and reacting the urethane monoisocyanate with a polyfluoro aliphatic amine or alcohol.

Thus, nonylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol having an average of 4 moles of ethylene oxide can be reacted with one mole of toluene diisocyanate to form the corresponding 1:1 adduct, which, in turn is reacted with a perfluoroalkylalkylamine of the formula C8F,7(CH2)5NH2, which can be prepared in accordance with US-Patent Specification 3,257,407, to form the corresponding urea derivative.

Analogously, many fluorochemical surfactants of the formula Rf-Zn-A-OH can be reacted with suitable aliphatic or araliphatic acid halides, isocyanates, and the likes, to form suitable fluorochemical surfactants for use in accordance with the instant invention.

For example, C8F,7SO2N(C2H5)-CH2CH2(OCH2CH2),0-OH, disclosed in US-Patent Specification 2,915,554, can be reacted with dodecylbenzenesulfonyl chloride in diethyl ether in the presence of triethylamine to yield the corresponding sulfonate ester.

Useful surfactants for use in accordance with the instant invention can also be prepared by reacting a fluoroaliphatic thiol with an ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid anhydride, and reacting the resulting anhydride condensate with an equimolar amount of hydrocarbon surfactant of the formula RHC-Q-A-OH or RHC-Q-A-NH2, to obtain the resulting half ester or half amide, respectively. Alternatively, the ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid anhydride can be reacted with an equimolar amount of hydrocarbon surfactant of the formula RHC-Q-A-OH or RHC-Q-A-NH2, for example, and the reaction product reacted with a fluoroaliphatic thiol.

For example, dodecylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol (containing 9 moles of ethylene oxide) can be reacted with an equimolar amount of maleic anhydride in an inert diluent, such as sulfolane, to yield the corresponding half ester of the formula:

The half ester can then be reacted with a fluoraliphatic thiol, such as C9F1gC2H4SH, obtained according to US-Patent Specifications 3,172,910 and U.S. 3,088,849.The reaction is advantageously carried out in substantially stoichiometric amounts in aqueous ethanol in the presence of small amounts of sodium hydroxide and a tertiary amine, such as piperidine, at from 20 to 75"C, to form, for example, a product of the formula:

Analogously the compound of the formula

prepared in accordance with US-Patent Specification 3,471,518 can be reacted with the compound of the formula

disclosed in US-Patent Specification 2,341,846, by refluxing equimolar amounts in dioxane to produce the corresponding half ester.

Likewise, the compound of the formula

where Rf is a mixture of C6-C10 perfluoroalkyl, prepared by reacting norbornene anhydride and Rf CH2CH2SH in the presence of a small amount of an azobutyronitrile as catalyst, can be reacted with 3-(n-dodecyl-amino)propylamine in equimolar amounts at temperatures of 20 to 50"C in an inert diluent such as toluene and dehydrate the product by azeotropic distillation of water to yield the corresponding imine, which, in turn can be ethoxylated with 10 moles of ethylene oxide in an aqueous acidic medium to yield a product of the formula:

Some of the fluorochemical surfactants which can be used in accordance with the instant invention are known compounds.

Suitable fluorochemical surfactants as defined above and used in accordance with the instant invention can readily be prepared from known starting materials by conventional techniques, such as those illustrated above, and as further illustrated in the following examples.

Advantageously, the fluorochemical surfactants are used alone in an aqueous system or in combination with a conventional water-flooding surfactant. Such surfactants for enhanced oil recovery are well known and include anionic surfactants, such as petroleum sulfonates, synthetic alkyl aryl sulfonates and the like, anionic-non-ionic surfactant systems, such as those disclosed in US-Patent Specifications 3,811,504, 3,792,731 and 4,005,749, and cationic surfactant systems.

Mixtures of cationic and anionic surfactants are generally to be avoided as they may be incompatable due to interaction.

The total amount of surfactant based upon the aqueous medium may vary within wide limits, e.g., between 0.01 and 40 weight percent, ordinarily 0.05 to 20 weight percent. When using a mixture of fluoro-chemical surfactant according to the instant invention and a conventional waterflooding surfactant, ordinarily there is present at least 1 %, preferably at least 4%, of the fluorochemical surfactant, based on the amount of non-fluorochemical surfactant.

The aqueous surfactant slug may also advantageously contain suitable co-surfactants such as aliphatic or alkyl aryl alcohols having a molecular weight of 40 to 220 in amounts of up to 10% by volume of the solution. A monovalent salt may also be present in the aqueous medium in amounts up to 5% by weight based upon the aqueous medium for purposes of salinity control.

Various thickening agents, such as guar gum or polysaccharide, and sacrificial agents, such as inorganic polyphosphates or alkali metal carbonates, may also be present.

In one embodiment of the invention, the surfactant slug may be in the form of an aqueous petroleum oil emulsion containing 0.5 to 40% by weight of oil, based upon the weight of the aqueous phase.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the terminal portion of the aqueous surfactant slug, or aqueous petroleum oil emulsion, exhibits a lower concentration of non-aqueous ingredients than the initial portion injected into the reservoir from which the oil is recovered. The use of such a concentration gradient thus reduces the total amount of surfactant necessary in the oil recovery procedure.

The following Examples are merely illustrative of the instant invention and are not intended to limit the scope thereof. All parts are by weight unless otherwise specified.

Example 1: Into a 500 ml vessel fitted with a thermometer, stirrer and nitrogen inlet, there was placed 84.2 grams (0.075 moles) of polyethoxylated cetyl alcohol having an average of 20 ethoxy units and having the formula (101) C,6H(-OCH2CH2-)OH and stirred at 50-55'C under a nitrogen blanket. Boron trifluoride in the form of the diethyl ether complex (47.3% BF3) was added in the amount of 0.4 grams. Then 6.1 grams of epichlorohydrin 0.066 moles) was slowly added to the mixture while maintaining the tempera- ture at 50-6O'C over a period of about 10 minutes. The reaction mixture was then stirred at a temperature of 50 to 60"C for an additional 30 minutes.The product formed has the -formula

To this reaction product there was then added 140.3 grams of anhydrous isopropyl alcohol and 27.9 grams of RfCH2CH2SH, where Bf is straight chain perfluoroalkyl having the following R, distribution: 0.9% C4Fg-, 32.9% C6F13-, 37.5% C8F,7-, 22.99% C,oF21- and 5.3% C'2F25 (average M.W. approx. 465), and the mixture stirred at about 50"C. Then 5.4 grams of 50% aqueous NaOH (0.0672 moles) were slowly added at a rate which maintained the reaction mixture at 50 to 60"C. A white precipitate of NaCI formed.The mixture was stirred for an additional hour at 50-55"C and turned from colorless to pale yellow. The solution was then filtered to remove byproduct NaCI. Upon drying, 73.6 grams of product (about 70% yield) was obtained. The product has the formula

Example 2: Using the procedure of Example 1, polyethoxylated stearyl amine of the formula

(where q + r is 15) in the amount of 54.69 grams (0.063 moles) was reacted with 5.09 grams (0.055 moles) of epichlorohydrin in the presence of 0.3 grams of BF3; diethyl ether complex, and the resulting reaction product reacted with 23.25 grams of the RfCH2CH2SH of Example 1 in the presence of 4.48 grams of 50% aqueous NaOH in 98.85 grams of isopropanol. The reaction product was stirred for two hours before filtering to yield 151.47 grams amber colored hazy solution. Upon refiltering, 142.01 grams of clear amber solution was obtained. Upon drying, 46.43 grams of the product of the formula

were obtained.

Example 3: Using the procedure of Example 1, 264.0 grams of ethoxylated (15) p-nonyl phenoi having the formula

were reacted with 24.42 grams of epichlorohydrin in the presence of 1.6 grams of BF3; diethylether complex and the product thereof was subsequently reacted with 111.6 grams of RfCH2CH2SH, wherein Bf has the distribution as in Example 1, in the presence of 21.50 grams of 50% aqueous sodium hydroxide and 460.4 grams of isopropyl alcohol.The resulting reaction product has the formula

Example 4: Maleic ahydrde, 2.55 grams and 2.55 of sulfolane as solvent, were added to 36.45 grams of dinonyl polyethoxylated (24) phenol of the formula

and stirred for 20 hours at 60"C, to form a reaction mixture containing a half ester of the formula

To this reaction mixture there was then added 0.1 grams of triethylamine and 11.63 grams of RfCH2CH2SH having the Rf distribution as in Example 1 under a nitrogen blanket and the mixture stirred at 60"C for about 7 hours.The product has the formula

Example 5: In order to measure the effectiveness of fluorochemical surfactant in dislodging oil from an oil hearing subterranean formation by increasing the effectiveness of the aqueous medium, the following screening technique was used: Procedure: 20 g of a sand-oil mixture (10% A.S.T.M. oil No. 3 and 90% Ottawa standard sand 20-30 mesh) are placed in a 25 X150 mm test tube. The test solution (25 ml at 0.1 % actives of sample in deionized water) is carefully laid over the sand-oil mixture. The system is then allowed to stand, undisturbed, for 18-20 hours. Any oil that percolates to the surface is drawn off with a pipette and weighed.Results are reported as percent recovered (i.e., the weight of oil recovered compared to the theoretical maximum of 2.0 g oil in the tube). 3 to 5 runs are done for each sample for an average value.

In the following Tables, the compounds were screened at 0.10% actives in deionized water; surface tensions and interfacial tensions were measured against cyclohexane. Except where otherwise indicated, the Rf distribution in the perfluoroalkyl surfactants were: 0.9% C4F9-.

32.9% C6F13-, 37.5% C8F17-, 22.9% C10F21-, and 5.3% C12F25-.

Table 1 Compounds of the formula

prepared in accordance with the procedure set forth in Example 1 to 3.

Approx. Percent Surface Interfacial Value Oil Re- Tension Tension No. of s RHC covered (dynes/cm) (dynes/cm) 1 15 CsH19 61 4 24.09 6.2 2 20 -C,6H33 52.0 22.6 6.5 3 20 -C18H37 46.8 20.7 7.0 4 15 -C,3H27 36.7 19.9 6.0 R 5 -(-OCH2CH2-)--(-CH2CH20)H q + r = 1 5, B=stearyl 69.8 25.6 7.3 r3rC9H19 6 24 < / )c9H19 40.2 22.3 5.4 \=J'cg H19 7 5 A\\/C9Hl9 10.2 20.7 18.6 8 11 CgH19 46.0 23.4 10.7 9 20 C9 H19 35 4 20.7 5.0 10 30 - < CgH19 27.0 24.9 5.5

Table 2 Compounds of the formula

prepared in accordance with procedures set forth in Example 4.

Approx. Percent Surface Interfacial Value Oil Re- Tension Tension No. of s RHC covered (dynes/cm) (dynes/cm) 11 24 taCgH19 44.7 29.2 6.6 C9 H19 12 20 -C18H3 68.1 27.1 5.1 13 15 CsH19 86.9 24.2 7.1 141) 20 y({c9H19 59.9 26.3 5.3 15 5 4X9CgH19 36.6 24.5 7.5 R 16 -(-OCH2CH2-)q N-(-CH2CH2O-), H q + r = 1 5, Rnstearyl (1) Bf= 25% C6F,3-, 50% C8F,7-, 25% C,0F21 Example 6:In the following table, formulations of various hydrocarbon surfactants with representative fluorochemical surfactants and their effectiveness in dislodging oil according to the procedure set forth in Example 5 are given. In the following table, hydrocarbon surfactant Xj) is a commercial anionic sulfate surfactant (Conco EL-30-Trademark); hydrocarbon surfactant (ss) is a polyethoxylated nonyl-phenol nonionic surfactant (Igepal CO-710-Trademark); and surfactant DCis petroleum sulfonate anionic surfactant (Petronate L-Trademark).

Table 3 Actives in No. solution % oil recovered A 0.09% 19.5 B 0.09% 51.7 C 0.10% 8.1 5 0.01% 13.5 1 0.01% 45.6 13 0.01% 31.2 5 0.01% 34.9 A 0.09% 5 0.01% 57.5 B 0.09% 5 0.01% 13.2 C 0.09% 1 0.01% 28.3 A 0.09% 1 0.01% 37.5 B 0.09 1 0.01% 12.2 C 0.09% 13 0.01% 29.2 A 0.09% 13 0.01% 67.0 B 0.09% 13 0.01% 14.4 C 0.09% 13 0.05% 77.9 B 0.05% The results of the above table indicate the advantages which may be obtained using formulations of conventional hydrocarbon surfactants coupled with the fluorochemical surfactants in tertiary oil recovery.

Claims

1. A method of oil recovery from subterranean oil reservoirs by injection of an aqueous surfactant composition to dislodge the oil from said reservoir, wherein the surfactant is a compound of the formula Rf-Zm-A-Qn-RHC, wherein Rf is a hydrophobic-oleophobic fluoroaliphatic group of 4 to 24 carbon atoms, Z is a divalent linking group; A is a divalent hydrophilic organic radical;Q is a divalent linking group; RHc is a hydrophobic-oleophilic aliphatic radical of 6 to 24 carbon atoms or araliphatic radical of at least 9 carbon atoms, and m and n are independently 0 or 1, said fluorochemical surfactant having a solubility in water at 30 C of at least 0.10% by weight, exhibiting a surface tension of less than 30 dynes/cm at 0.1 % by weight actives in deionized water and exhibiting an interfacial tension of less than 12 dynes/cm at 0.1 % by weight actives in deionized water, measured against cyclohexane.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the aqueous surfactant composition contains in addition non-fluorinated surfactants which are anionics, mixtures of anionics and nonionics or cationics.

3. The method according to Claim 1, wherein said fluorochemical surfactant exhibits a surface tension at 0.1 % actives in deionized water of about 16-28 dynes/cm and an interfacial tension of less than 12 dynes/cm measured against cyclohexane.

4. A method according to Claim 3, wherein said fluorochemical surfactant is substantially nonionic.

5. A method according to Claim 4, wherein the surfactant HO-A-Q-RHC, corresponding to the fluorochemical surfactant Rf-Zm-A-Q-RHC, has an apparent hydrophilic-lipophilic balance in the range of about 4-24.

6. A method according to Claim 5, wherein the surfactant HO-A-Q-RHC has an apparent hydrophilic-lipophilic balance in the range of about 12-18.

7. A method according to claim 5, wherein the fluorochemical surfactant is of the formula BfZm(CH2CH2O)SQRHC wherein Bt is straight or branched claim perfluoralkyl of 4 to 20 carbon atoms, RHc is alkyl of 6 to 24 carbon atoms or

wherein R2, is alkyl of 3 to 20 carbon atoms and R22 is hydrogen, halogen, nitro or R2,; m is O or 1; s is 5 to 30 Z is -COO-, -SO3-, -O-, -C1-C4-alkylene-COO-, -C1-C4-alkylene-SO3,

n is 0 or 1, and 0 is -CO or -SO2-.

8. A method according to Claim 7, wherein Rf is straight or branched chain perfluoroalkyl of 4 to 20 carbon atoms, RHc is alkyl of 6 to 24 carbon atoms or a group of the formula

m and n are zero, and s R2, and R22 have the meanings indicated in claim 7.

9. A method according to Claim 7, wherein the fluorochemical surfactant is of the formula

wherein Rf, RHc and s have the meanings indicated in claim 7.

1 0. A method of oil recovery as claimed in claim 1 substantially as described with reference to Example 5 or 6.

11. Aqueous surfactant composition for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 which contains 0.01 to 40% by weight of the fluorochemical surfactant and optionally a conventional waterflooding non-fluorochemical surfactant.

1 2. Composition according to claim 11, which contains at least 1 % by weight of the fluorochemical surfactant, based on the weight of the non-fluorochemical surfactant.

1 3. Aqueous surfactant composition as claimed in claim 11 substantially as described with reference to Example 5 or 6.

14. A compound of the formula

wherein Rf is a hydrophobic-oleophobic fluoroaliphatic group of 4 to 20 carbon atoms, s is 5 to 30, and RHc is a hydrophobic-lipophilic aliphatic radical of 6 to 24 carbon atoms or a group of the formula

wherein R2, is alkyl of 3 to 20 carbon atoms and R22 is hydrogen, halogen, nitro or R2,.

1 5. A compound according to Claim 12, wherein Bf is perfluoroalkyl of 6 to 20 carbon atoms, RHc is alkyl of 6 to 24 carbon atoms or a group of the formula

where R2, is alkyl of 6 to 1 2 carbon atoms and R22 is hydrogen or R22.

16. A compound as claimed in claim 14 substantially as described with reference to any of Examples 1,3 and 4.