what is normally called a micellar fluid containing surface active agents or surfactants is injected into the formation the micellar slug is equal to about 0 1 to about 0 75 or more pore volume of the formation and the surfactant concentration generally will be from about 0 05 to about 11 or more percent by weight the micellar fluid may or may not contain a water soluble polymer to provide a certain amount of mobility control or pushability of the oil the micellar fluid slug thereafter is followed by the introduction of a mobility control fluid into the formation this fluid usually contains a certain concentration of lyophilic polymer which is a water soluble polymer one polymer usually used is an ionic polysaccharide produced by bacteria of the genus xanthamonus many other such water soluble polymers may be used within this invention the mobility control fluid slug is equal in volume to about 0 5 to about 0 9 or more pore volume of the formation and contains a certain polymer concentration from about 0 ppm to about 2500 ppm it has been found that when the polymer such as a biopolymer is added to the micellar fluid a viscous zone is generated within the micellar bank this is because the polymer does not interact with the oil and cannot penetrate.