alkaline-surfactant-polymer flooding | Energy Glossary

Explore the Energy Glossary

Look up terms beginning with:

alkaline-surfactant-polymer flooding

1. n. []

A chemical enhanced oil recovery flood that uses two sources of surfactant and a polymer. Alkaline chemicals such as sodium carbonate react with acidic oil components in situ to create petroleum soap, which is one of the surfactants. A synthetic surfactant is injected simultaneously with the alkali. A water-soluble polymer is also injected, both in mixture with the alkali and surfactant and as a slug following the mixture, to increase the viscosity of the injectant, thereby improving mobility control of the flood fronts.

Synonyms: ASP flooding

See related terms: alkaline floodingchemical floodingpolymer floodingsurfactantsurfactant flooding