The present invention is directed to alkylxylene sulfonate for enhanced oil recovery processes. The alkylxylene moiety in the alkylxylene sulfonate contains a high percentage of the 4-alkyl-1,2-dimethyl benzene isomer and a high percentage of alkyl group attachment to the xylene ring at positions higher than the 2-position on the alkyl carbon chain. The present invention is also directed to a method for enhancing the recovery of oil from a subterranean reservoir which method employs the alkylxylene sulfonate of the present invention. The alkylxylene sulfonate is employed in an aqueous media. The method optionally employs co-surfactants. It has surprisingly been discovered that the high percentage of the 4-alkyl-1,2-dimethyl benzene isomer and the high percentage alkyl group attachment to the xylene moiety at positions higher than the 2-position along the alkyl carbon chain on the alkylxylene sulfonate of the present invention provides an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) surfactant having low Interfacial Tension (IFT).