Effect of Salt Concentration on Oil Recovery during Polymer Flooding: Simulation Studies on Xanthan Gum and Gum Arabic.

Oil recoveries from medium and heavy oil reservoirs under natural recovery production are small because of the high viscosity of the oil. Normal water flooding procedures are usually ineffective, as the injected water bypasses much of the oil because of its high mobility. Thermal flooding processes are desirable but have many disadvantages from costs, effects on the environment, and loss of lighter hydrocarbons.