Patent ID: 6207808
Filing Date: 2001-03-27
Classification: C07G,C08H

Abstract:
A method of recovering hydrocarbons from an underground hydrocarbon formation penetrated by at least one injection well and at least one production well, the method comprising:injecting into the formation through an injection well a surfactant slug comprising about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of surfactants produced from lignin, said surfactants produced byplacing lignin in contact with a hydrogen donor organic solvent, wherein the hydrogen donor solvent is selected from the group consisting of tetralin, lignin phenol or biomass,converting the lignin into low molecular weight-lignin phenols by reducing the lignin in the presence of a reducing agent and a catalyst, said reduction occurring at a temperature of at least about 200.degree. C. and a pressure of at least 100 psig,recovering the lignin phenols from the reduction mixture, andconverting the lignin phenol into lignin surfactants;injecting into the formation through the injection well a drive fluid to push the surfactant slug towards a production well; andrecovering hydrocarbons at the production well.