Abstract

Crude oil and gas production wells, which no longer produce oil or gas utilizing conventional primary and secondary means of recovery, can be returned to production by treatment comprising addition of an aqueous solution of certain phosphate ester surfactants followed by successive treatment with a hydrocarbon. Increased production also can be obtained in low-producing oil and gas wells by similar treatment with certain phosphate ester surfactants. Subsequent to treatment of a producer well, the phosphate ester surfactant is forced into the formation utilizing a hydrocarbon and said surfactant and hydrocarbon mixture is allowed to remain in the producing well, for an effective period of time ranging from not less than 24 hours to one month. Thereafter, pumping and/or conventional fluid drive means are then utilized to recover oil or gas from the subterranean oil or gas formation. The amount of aqueous surfactant solution and hydrocarbon utilized are sufficent to permeate the oil or gas subterranian formation in the area immediately adjacent to the producing well bore and up to a radius therefrom of about 20 feet.