| abstract |
Method for preparing an aqueous surfactant-polymer solution, comprising; combining a concentrated liquid surfactant composition with an aqueous fluid in a single-stage mixing process and applying a specific mixing energy of at least 0.10 kJ/kg to the surfactant composition and the aqueous fluid, and, wherein the aqueous surfactant-polymer solution comprises a polymer concentration of from 50 to 15,000 ppm, wherein the aqueous surfactant-polymer solution itself comprises; a) a surfactant package in an amount of from 0.2% to 98% by weight; b) a co-solvent in an amount of from greater than 0% to 95% by weight, and, c) a liquid polymer (LP) composition in an amount of from 0.1% to 60% by weight, wherein the surfactant composition has a total water content of from 0.5% to 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the surfactant composition. The liquid polymer composition may itself comprise; i) a hydrophobic liquid having a boiling point of at least 100oC; ii) at least 39% by weight of a synthetic co-polymer (which may be an acrylamide co-polymer); iii) an emulsifier surfactant, and, iv) an inverting surfactant. |