The present disclosure relates to the use of a multicarboxylate, such as an alkyl alkoxy dicarboxylate, in enhanced oil recovery processes. A specific embodiment relates to the use of an aqueous stream including a compound having the chemical formula: R1—R2—R3, wherein R1 comprises a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, cyclic or non-cyclic, hydrophobic carbon chain having 7-150 carbon atoms; an oxygen atom linking R1 and R2; R2 comprises an alkoxylated chain comprising ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, or a combination thereof; and R3 comprises a branched or unbranched hydrocarbon chain comprising 2-12 carbon atoms and 2-5 —COOH or —COOM groups wherein M is a monovalent, divalent, or trivalent cation.