| abstract |
A process for preparing a polymer solution for use in "polymer based" oil recovery comprises adding to water the polymer in the form of an aqueous solution, a dry particulate solid or a suspension in a non-aqueous liquid, and also adding a complexing agent for multivalent ions and, where the solution so formed does not already contain an alkali metal salt, subsequently incorporating therein an alkali metal salt. The polymer may be a substantially cell-free microbial polysaccharide gum, a polyacrylamide or a cellulose derivative. |