BASF Group: Chemical Intermediates: Glyoxal as a crosslinker in enhanced oil recovery

Intermediates

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	Glyoxal as a crosslinker in enhanced oil recovery

The use of crosslinked polymers such as guar or xanthan in fracturing fluids is fundamental in the process of production enhancement.

Fracturing fluids applied in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) can perform better if the chemical intermediate glyoxal is added.

Glyoxal increases the viscosity of the fracturing fluid by crosslinking the polymers it contains. This allows the viscous fracturing fluid to transport the proppant sand (small beads) added to it, which helps to create the fractures in the oil sediment and release the crude.

Find out more about the diverse functions of glyoxal as a crosslinker and scavenger.

Find out more about glyoxal in enhanced oil recovery
As a crosslinker for polymers, glyoxal effectively supports oil production, e.g. in enhanced oil recovery.