A surfactant composition comprising alkylarylsulfonate molecules wherein more than 30 wt. % of the alkylarylsulfonate molecules of the surfactant composition are species of the formula: [R—X—Ar(SO3)−]a[Mn+]b wherein: X is a linear acyclic aliphatic hydrocarbyl chain; R is bound to a non-terminal carbon atom of X and is selected from H and C1 to C3 alkyl groups; X and R together have 10 or less carbon atoms, preferably 9 or 10 carbon atoms, most preferably 10 carbon atoms; Ar is an aromatic group; M is a cation or cation mixture, n is selected from 1, 2 and 3; and a and b are selected such that the alkylarylsulfonate molecule is electroneutral.