PROCESS FOR PREPARING A SYNTHETIC ANIONIC SULPHUR-CONTAINING SURFACTANT COMPOSITION AND METHOD AND USE FOR THE RECOVERY OF OIL

摘要

The invention relates to a process for preparing a synthetic anionic sulphur-containing surfactant composition comprising the steps of:(a) providing a surfactant precursor which precursor has the general formula R-O-SO₃-H (I) or the general formulain which R, R' and R" are each a hydrocarbyl group containing hydrogen and carbon and optionally oxygen; and (b) contacting the surfactant precursor with an ammonia liquid to obtain the surfactant composition, wherein the ammonia liquid is applied in an amount in excess to that required for stoichiometric neutralization of the surfactant precursor. The invention further relates to a process for recovering oil from an oil-bearing formation in which use is made an oil recovery formulation comprising the surfactant; and the use of the surfactant an oil recovery formulation.