Patent attributes
A process for recovering materials from a subterranean formation, for example in enhanced oil recovery, comprises: (A) (a) (i) selecting a first polymeric material having a repeat unit of formula (A) wherein A and B are the same or different, are selected from optionally-substituted aromatic and heteroaromatic groups and at least one comprises a relatively polar atom or group and R1 and R2 independently comprise relatively non-polar atoms or groups; or (ii) selecting a first polymeric material prepared or preparable by providing a compound of general formula (B) wherein A, B, R1 and R2 are as described above, in an aqueous solvent and causing the groups C═C in said compound to react with one another to form said first polymeric material; (b) selecting a second polymeric material which includes a functional group which is able to react in the presence of said first polymeric material to form a third polymeric material; (c) causing the formation of said third polymeric material by a reaction involving said first and second polymeric materials; and (d) contacting the subterranean formation with said third polymeric material; or (B) contacting the formation with a polymeric material (hereinafter “said third polymer material”) which is a product of a reaction involving: (a) a first polymeric material as described in (A) (a) (i) or (ii); and (b) a second polymeric material which includes a functional group which is able to react in the presence of said first polymeric material to form said third polymeric material.
