Abstract: An enhanced oil recovery technique includes the predetermination of a desired steam distribution within a steam flood pattern, which preferably is proportional to the volumes of oil in place within various sectors of an area of a subsurface formation. These sectors are associated with the various producing wells of the steam flood pattern. Initial steam distribution is then determined. Subsequently, one or more of the producing wells has its production rate modified so that the final steam distribution within the formation will more closely approximate the predetermined preferred steam distribution.

Abstract: An oil and water-containing subterranean reservoir can be heated in a manner capable of inducing an economically feasible production of oil from zones which were initially so impermeable as to be undesirably unproductive in response to injections of oil recovery fluids. Treatment zones of specified thickness are conductively heated from boreholes arranged in a specified pattern of heat-injecting and fluid-producing wells and heated to above about 600.degree. C.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a method of recovering hydrocarbons from an underground formation by employing modified inverted 9 spot and modified inverted 13 spot well patterns which contain substantially horizontal wells completed between the substantially vertically corner and side wells of the invention well patterns.

Abstract: A method of controlling subterranean flow of contaminants draining from a zone of contaminant concentration, includes(a) determining the locus of flow of contaminants in a porous underground formation, and(b) injecting into the formation a substance that creates a barrier in the formation to said flow, to thereby block said flow.

Abstract: This invention is a method for recovering viscous hydrocarbonaceous fluids from a subterranean formation containing one or more vertically extensive, narrow, high permeability conduits. At least one injection well communicates with at least one production well via said conduits. Steam is injected into said injection well until the water-oil ratio becomes excessive at the production well. The production well is then shut in until the formation is pressurized. Stem injection is then stopped and the production well is opened for production by pressure depletion. This cycle is repeated until oil recovery becomes uneconomical.

Abstract: Oil is produced by drilling parallel horizontal wells within a deep subterranean reservoir, extending parallel vertical fractures between the wells, heating the reservoir by flowing hot fluid through all fractures and producing oil by displacing fluid between the fractures.

Abstract: From 5 to 35%, preferably 10 to 30%, by volume of hydrocarbon gases may be incorporated as a diluent into carbon dioxide-containing gas injected during secondary exploitation of oil reservoirs. The reservoir pressure is maintained at 100 to 120 atm., respectively, up to 250 atm. The preferred range is 120 to 200 atm. The hydrocarbon gases may be added to the carbon dioxide-containing gas prior to injection and/or use may be made of ambient hydrocarbon gases present in the reservoir. The optimum gas injection rate is 40-80 m.sup.3 /day/m of formation.

Abstract: A method for drilling a plurality of wellbores for producing an oil and/or gas field to the maximum extent with the least number of wellbores wherein at least two longitudinally extending drilling zones are established spaced apart and essentially parallel to one another and drilling alternate longitudinally spaced apart curved wellbores from said drilling zones, each curved wellbore extending toward the producing formation and the opposing drilling zone, each curved wellbore being straightened out and thereafter following a predetermined producing formation until the wellbore reaches the vicinity of the opposing drilling zone. A plurality of the alternating longitudinally spaced wellbores are employed along a pair of drilling zones and a plurality of pairs of drilling zones can be employed. The resulting series of wellbores can be employed to carry out an enhanced oil recovery process by using part of said wellbores as injection wells and part of said wellbores as producing wells.

Abstract: A subterranean viscous oil bearing formation is progressively produced in a preselected direction by a combination of steps conducted in sets of wells spaced from each other in the preselected direction. A first set of wells is used to both apply electrical heat to the formation and inject brine, preferably at low rates. Then electrical heating and brine injection are applied to a second set of wells spaced in the preselected direction from the first set of wells. Electrical heating in the first of wells is ceased and hot aqueous fluid injection is commenced. These steps are moved in sequence to coact with each other and traverse and produce the formation thereby providing a more energy efficient process. Variations cover electrically stimulated huff and puff backflowing or producing steps to control wellbore resistance and distribute the heat uniformly in the proper direction. A pressure maintenance fluid may also be injected in the depleted part of the formation.

Abstract: A method is provided for modifying an original distribution pattern including an original central injection well and four original corner production wells. One or more new injection wells are provided at locations approximately aligned midway between adjacent ones of the original corner production wells. In addition to the two original corner production wells between which it is located, there are associated with each new injection well four additional new production wells. A first pair of these new production wells is provided at locations substantially aligned between and preferably substantially midway between the original central injection well and the two adjacent ones of the original corner production wells. A second pair of new production wells is located substantially as a mirror image of the first pair about an imaginary straight line between the two adjacent ones of the original corner production wells.

Abstract: A thermal oil recovery process in which steam is injected into a heavy oil-bearing formation through a horizontally-drilled injection well and oil is produced through a horizontal production well parallel to the injection well.

Abstract: A method for positioning a large diameter shaft from the surface into the earth and at least partially through a subterranean oil-bearing formation, said method comprising(a) Positioning a central well near the center of a selected shaft location, said central well extending at least partially through said oil-bearing formation;(b) Positioning a plurality of wells at a selected distance outside the diameter of said shaft and about said shaft, said wells extending at least partially through said oil-bearing formation;(c) Injecting a fluid through at least a portion of said wells into said oil-bearing formation to remove oil from said oil-bearing formation;(d) Producing fluids from said central well;(e) Injecting water into said oil-bearing formation through said portion of said wells after the injection of said fluid through said portion of the said wells;(f) Freezing a zone about said location; and,(g) Excavating said shaft.

Abstract: A solution mining process for recovering mineral values from a subterranean mineral-bearing formation, which includes (1) a first injection-and-production phase during which a leaching solution is injected into the formation and a pregnant liquor is simultaneously recovered from the formation, (2) a production-only phase during which injection is suspended and additional pregnant liquor is recovered from the formation, and (3) a second injection-and-production phase.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a method of injecting steam foaming agents in conjunction with steam and usually, a non-condensable gas into production wells producing a substantially high water to oil ratio. The most preferred production wells for foaming agent injection are corner production wells of flooding patterns such as inverted 5- and 9-spots, especially when the flooding pattern contains infill wells between the central injection well and the corner production wells.Although the method of injecting foaming agent, steam and usually, a non-condensable gas is effective with any foaming agent, the method works particularly well with foaming agents of the general formula:RO(R'O).sub.n R"SO.sub.

Abstract: Enhanced recovery of oil from subterranean sedimentary formations by an in-situ combustion method employing a pattern of an injection well and several production wells, spaced-apart by a treatment zone. Combustion is controlled by placing at least one fluid conduit in a treatment zone and introducing a control fluid through it to modify the flame front. Oxygen may be introduced to take over from combustion air initially introduced through the injection well, to sustain combustion and advance the flame front. Water may be injected through the injection well, alternating with the oxygen through the control conduit to continue a wet combustion method started with air. The strategic placing of control conduits and the introduction of appropriate fluids may be employed to improve the sweep geometry by advancing the flame front or retarding it, or invading areas behind it. Safety means is provided for introducing the oxygen at a velocity greater than the maximum flame velocity encountered in the flame front.

Abstract: A waveguide structure is emplanted in the earth to bound a particular volume of an earth formation with a waveguide structure formed of respective rows of discrete elongated electrodes wherein the spacing between rows is greater than the distance between electrodes in a respective row and in the case of vertical electrodes substantially less than the thickness of the hydrocarbonaceous earth formation. Electrical power at no more than a relatively low frequency is applied between respective rows of the electrodes to deliver power to the formation while producing relatively uniform heating thereof and limiting the relative loss of heat to adjacent barren regions to less than a tolerable amount. At the same time the temperature of the electrodes is controlled near the vaporization point of water thereat to maintain an electrically conductive path between the electrodes and the formation.

Abstract: A method of converting coal and other solid carbonaceous material to gaseous and liquid products by heating the coal in the presence of the gaseous effluent to a sufficient temperature for pyrolyzing the coal to produce liquid and gaseous products. Thereafter, further gasifying the coal to produce a gaseous effluent to be used in subsequent steps to produce liquid and gaseous products.

Abstract: A method for creating a zone of increased permeability in a subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formation penetrated by a plurality of wellbores by penetrating the formation with a first wellbore; positioning a plurality of other wellbores about the first wellbore with each of the other wellbores having at least one substantially horizontal borehole extending therefrom into the vicinity of the first wellbore; extending a plurality of substantially horizontal boreholes from the first wellbore into the vicinity of the other wellbores; positioning explosive charges in at least a portion of the boreholes and detonating the explosive charges to produce a rubblized zone between the first wellbore and the other wellbores.

Abstract: A process of utilizing natural gas to obtain a miscible drive fluid for low pressure reservoirs is described. The process involves upgrading natural gas to ethane, propane and butane constituents which are fabricated into a mixture which is miscible at the reservoir conditions. The process is operated so as to maximize the reuse of the upgraded miscible drive fluid and therefore lower the cost of enhancing the oil recovery from a low pressure reservoir.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for hydraulically mining unconsolidated subterranean mineral formations is disclosed wherein the hydraulic mining tool and surface drilling equipment is supported upon elongate structural beams releasably affixed at opposite ends to laterally spaced concrete foundations positioned upon the drilling site. The structural beams prevent the mining tool from canting or subsiding during the hydraulic mining process and may be reused for consecutive mining operations at differing locations upon the drilling site. An improved mining tool configuration is additionally disclosed which is specifically adapted to agitate and maintain the mined minerals in suspension within the mining slurry and further direct the slurry toward the mining tool for subsequent transport to ground surface.

Abstract: An oil mining configuration primarily intended for use as a production drift for the recovery of petroleum from an overlying, oil bearing formation by gravity drainage. The configuration is in the general shape of a lollipop when viewed from above and has a stem portion and an annular head portion. The stem portion extends from a first location adjacent a main drift to a second location. The annular head portion extends from the second location about a vertical axis to a third location and on around to the second location to complete the lollipop shape. Production wells are drilled upwardly from the lollipop drift and the produced oil as well as gas and water are collected in tanks in the head portion and pumped up a service well extending from the head portion to the surface. Two methods of forming the lollipop drift are disclosed as are details of its design and operation including air flow and accidental spill recovery.

Abstract: A system and method provide for preferential in situ heating of earth formations. A plurality of elongated conductive electrodes are emplaced in earth formations in respective spaced rows bounding a particular volume of the earth formations and forming a transmission line, preferably a triplate line, extending in the direction of the electrodes with the particular volume of the earth formations providing a dielectric medium between respective rows of electrodes. Electromagnetic energy is supplied to the transmission line at a frequency at which the spacing between respective rows is less than about twice the skin depth at the frequency of the applied energy. Reactance means are disposed along respective electrodes to provide predetermined effective transmission line characteristics to develop a predetermined heating pattern in the earth formations. The reactance means may be reactances disposed discretely between sections of respective electrodes.

Abstract: A procedure is described for producing hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-bearing formations including shale oil from an oil shale body wherein combinations of vertical and slant holes are drilled into the shale body, and an alternating sequence of fracturing and production by in situ combustion is performed between those holes.

Abstract: Fluid, such as liquid water, is injected into the rock surrounding an in situ oil shale retort at sufficient pressure and flow rate so that the injected fluid flows toward the retort to block the path of hot liquid and gaseous kerogen decomposition products escaping from the retort and to return heat to the retort. The successful conduct of an oil shale retorting operation usually requires that the retort temperature be maintained at a temperature sufficient to decompose efficiently the kerogen contained in the oil shale. By reducing the heat loss from an active retort, the amount of energy required to maintain a desired temperature therein is reduced. The fluid injection method also maintains pressure in an in-situ oil shale retort, allowing in-situ oil shale retorting to be efficiently conducted at a desired pressure. The method also reduces the danger to mineworkers who may be engaged in adjacent mining operations due to the escape of hazardous gases from an active retort.

Abstract: Any desired number of alternate parallel rows of injection and production well bores are positioned to establish a block gasification pattern. Combustion links are established between adjacent injection and production well bores in a direction generally perpendicular to said rows. The block pattern is ignited simultaneously through all of the injection well bores such that the pattern is gasified along the multiple linking paths in both directions between each injection well bore and its adjacent production well bores. In this manner the entire area of deposit defined by the block pattern is gasified simultaneously and may be separated from other similar block patterns by a barrier, thereby eliminating the problem of direct contact with burned-out areas.

Abstract: A method of extracting bitumen from a subsurface tar sand bed wherein a shell of frozen earth is formed around the periphery of at least a portion of the tar sand bed, followed by recovering bitumen from such portion of the tar sand bed within the shell of frozen earth by suitable means such as, for example, solvent extraction. Also disclosed is apparatus for freezing the earth surrounding one of a plurality of boreholes drilled in the earth within earth freezing distance of each other around the periphery of such portion of the tar sand bed.

Abstract: A method for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean hydrocarbon bearing formation comprises the steps of providing a production well penetrating in the formation and a plurality of injection wells surrounding the production well. Water is injected into the formation through the injection wells to produce a water flood barrier ringing the production well. A mixture of nitrogen and carbon dioxide gas is injected through the production well and into the formation with the water barrier acting to inhibit the escape of the gas from the portion of the formation surrounding the production well. Gas is injected through the production well into the formation until the formation is pressurized and then gas injection is ceased and the mixture of hydrocarbons and injection gas flowed from the formation through the production well.

Abstract: A tie-back connection apparatus effects a metal-to-metal type seal between a riser run from an overhead vessel and a subsea well casing suspended from a casing hanger in a subsea wellhead member. The apparatus includes a tubular mandrel connected to and run by the riser into the wellhead. A metal-to-metal type annular seal ring, mounted at the lower end of the mandrel, is landed upon the casing hanger, with the end of the mandrel in coaxial alignment with the casing hanger. The seal ring effects a seal between the riser and the casing when compressive force is applied to the seal ring. A seal activating mechanism, operated by a tool run from the vessel, engages the casing hanger and applies the compressive force to effect the seal. The seal activating mechanism includes three locking collets, a reaction sleeve, and a drive sleeve. One collet engages the casing hanger.

Abstract: A row of injection wells is widely separated from a parallel row of production wells by a plurality of rows of intermediate uncased column wells by means of which combustion links are established between the respective injection and production wells perpendicular to such rows. The pattern is ignited through a row of intermediate wells in order to prevent combustion from occurring directly beneath the injection wells. Means are also provided for shutting down the operation before the burn front reaches the production wells. In this manner, the danger of subsidence at both injection and production wells during operations is substantially eliminated.

Abstract: The method combines the driving of oil by steam from an injection well to a production well with the overriding tendencies of the steam to give both good temperature conformance and good vertical sweep by completing the injection and production wells in limited intervals in the oil-containing formation. The injection well is completed in the bottom 20-30 percent of the vertical thickness of the oil-containing formation and the production well is completed in the bottom 40 percent of the vertical thickness of the oil-containing formation. Once the wells are completed over the limited intervals, steam is injected into the oil-containing formation at a rapid rate and fluids including oil are recovered from the formation via the production well. Injection of steam is continued until the fluid being recovered contains an unfavorable amount of steam or water.

Abstract: A system and method for the controlled in situ heat processing of hydrocarbonaceous earth formations involves the application of electromagnetic energy at a selected frequency or at selected frequencies to a waveguide structure formed by electrodes bounding a particular volume of hydrocarbonaceous material. Terminating one end of the structure with different impedances at different times produces electric field standing waves of different respective phase at that end at a selected frequency. Two standing waves substantially 90.degree. out of phase in formations having relatively uniform dielectric properties result in substantially uniform application of heating power if the product of the amplitude-squared of the electric field standing wave and dwell time is substantially the same in each of the two modes. Feeding the line at both ends provides partial offset for attenuation. Various desired controlled heating patterns other than uniform may be effected by utilizing different dwell times or applied fields.

Abstract: A method for initiating combustion in a subterranean carbonaceous deposit by positioning at least two wellbores from the surface into the subterranean deposit; extending a first borehole substantially horizontally from a first wellbore into the vicinity of a second wellbore; extending a second borehole substantially horizontally from a second wellbore into the vicinity of the first wellbore; positioning an explosive charge in at least one of the boreholes; detonating the explosive charge to produce a rubblized zone between the first wellbore and the second wellbore; injecting a free-oxygen containing gas into the carbonaceous deposit through one of the wellbores; and igniting the carbonaceous deposit at one of the wellbores.

Abstract: A method for in situ recovery of oil from oil shale containing oil bearing compound. The method begins with thermally decomposing the kerogen underground to produce oil vapors, combustible gases, and carbon residue, followed by conducting the oil vapors and combustible gases to aboveground and recovering it there. Next comes the steps of burning the carbon residue underground at a controlled rate such that the temperature of the formation remains below the softening temperature of the spent shale and at controlled oxidation so that carbon monoxide is produced and of conducting the carbon monoxide to aboveground and recovering it. After the burning step has been completed comes the steps of injecting water in the form of liquid, vapor, mist or steam into the hot formation to produce steam at high temperature, and conducting the high temperature steam aboveground and recovering it there.

Abstract: For mining combustible minerals a plurality of boreholes are drilled in a gasifiable seam, e.g., in a coal bed, said boreholes 1 through 4 being intercommunicated by a number of gasification ducts. Then the combustible mineral is initiated to fire, and an oxygen-containing blast gas is blown through some of said boreholes into the gasification ducts, with the result that the generator gas is formed. Simultaneously a carbon- and/or hydrogen-containing blast gas is blown through other boreholes situated along the flow of the generator gas to enrich the latter with combustible ingredients. As a result some chemical reactions proceed under the effect of heat produced by the generator gas, whereby additional amounts of combustible elements are formed which add to the calorific value of the generator gas being withdrawn. The method is instrumental also in controlling the composition of the generator gas withdrawn by varying the ratio of the components of the blast gas enriching the generator gas.

Abstract: A method of controlled thermal linking of an injection well and a production well, both penetrating an underground formation, accomplished by injecting oxidant into the annulus of the injection well and fuel into the tubing of an injection well in stoichiometric proportions, and initiating a combustion zone at the production well which propagates along a predictable path in the formation which is a deviated or horizontal portion of the injection well.

Abstract: A method for recovering oil from a subterranean formation by alternately injecting water and fluid miscible with the oil into the formation to displace the oil is disclosed. In this method, the wells are spaced sufficiently close together, and the water and miscible fluid are injected at a rate, such that a value between 0.3 and 1.5 is obtained for a dimensionless parameter. This parameter is a ratio of viscous flow forces to gravity forces. It is equal to the total injection rate of the water and miscible fluid divided by the product of the density difference between the miscible fluid and the water, the average vertical permeability of the reservoir, the area of the reservoir to be flooded by an injection well, and the sum of the mobilities of the miscible fluid and the water at steady state around the injection well.

Abstract: A method for gasifying subterranean coal deposits by positioning a cased injection well to extend from the surface into the coal deposit with the injection well extending horizontally through the lower portion of the coal deposit with the horizontal portion of the well being cased with a perforated casing; positioning an injection tubing in the injection well; positioning a production well to extend from the surface to a point near the lower end of the injection well; igniting the coal deposit; gasifying a portion of the coal deposit between the bottom of the production well and the lower end of the injection tubing well by injecting a free-oxygen containing gas into the coal deposit through the injection tubing and recovering product gases through the production well and thereafter gasifying a second portion of the coal deposit by withdrawing the injection tubing a selected distance and thereafter injecting free-oxygen containing gas into the coal deposit and recovering product gases from the production well

Abstract: A method for the recovery of oil from a subterranean, viscous oil-containing formation by injecting steam into the lower portion of the formation, simultaneously injecting water into the formation to build up the pressure of the formation to about 300 psia, maintaining the formation pressure at about 300 psia during the steam drive, and producing oil from the upper portion of the formation.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus are provided for recovering high viscosity oils from sub-surface earth formations. In particular, a large diameter shaft hole is employed and a plurality of substantially horizontal drill holes extend radially from the shaft hole into the formation. It is a feature of this invention to provide vertically spaced drill holes oriented to improve the recovery of the oil. Methods are provided for further enhancing oil recovery by coordinating the injected fluid with the location of injection within the formation.

Abstract: A method for controlling the flow of subterranean water into a selected zone in a permeable subterranean carbonaceous deposit by injecting an aqueous plugging material into the permeable deposit through a plurality of wells to produce a plurality of injected areas of a size such that the injected areas overlap to form a barrier to the flow of subterranean water into the selected zone.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method where the soak time, required for solvent and crude oil mixing in the gravity assisted solvent flooding process, is significantly reduced. This is accomplished by inducing vertical flow of solvent into the heavy crude oil part of the reservoir through the use of intermediate wells drilled between injection and production wells and completed in the top of the oil reservoir. Steam or gas may be used prior to the introduction of the solvent to reduce the resistance to subsequent solvent flow.

Abstract: A method for treating a field containing viscous oil or bitumen for subsequent production is described. The steps central to the process are drilling a horizontal well within the oil-bearing stratum, and heating the oil in the vicinity of the horizontal well to produce a hot liquid corridor. The open borehole is filled and the oil in the heated corridor is displaced from one end to the other. The corridors may be connected in various configurations to effectively displace a high percentage of oil in a particular field.

Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation comprising penetrating the formation with a plurality of wells arranged in a pattern defining a series of regular pentagons with a well at the center of each pentagon, injecting a fluid into the formation by way of the wells at the centers of the pentagons whereby hydrocarbons contained in the formation are displaced from the center wells towards the wells defining the pentagons and producing the hydrocarbons by way of the wells defining the pentagons.

Abstract: The method of the present invention involves a two-phase process for in-situ retorting and recovery of carbonaceous material contained within typical subterranean tar sand formations, and includes formation of conventional arrays of in-seam ducts, and positioning heating devices to heat a section of the formation over a large extent thereof. The operation of the heating devices in the first phase is controlled to provide heat into the formation without burning of the carbonaceous material therein, resulting in development of a quasi-stable zone of pyrolysis about the heating duct, to thermally crack the carbonaceous material producing various organic liquid oil fractions and derived condensible vapors and non-condensible gases. The products produced thereby are then withdrawn through a suitable array of collection wells.

Abstract: A process for obtaining useful products from an oil shale formation that has intermixed nahcolite and dawsonite. An aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, containing a surfactant, is injected into the formation via wells. The sodium hydroxide reacts with the nahcolite to yield a sodium carbonate solution, which is withdrawn for further processing. Thereafter the shale is retorted in situ, with controlled pyrolysis while supplying air in controlled amounts, and petroleum products are recovered. Then water is sent into the retorted formation to produce steam, which is recovered. At some stage before or after the retorting, the dawsonite is reacted with NaOH and recovered as sodium aluminate in solution, which may be hydrolyzed or carbonated above ground to precipitate hydrated alumina. Carbon dioxide may be added to the recovered sodium carbonate aboveground to precipitate sodium bicarbonate, which may be heated to form solid sodium carbonate.

Abstract: In an enhanced oil recovery process utilizing a plurality of wells disposed in a nearly square grid wherein a plurality of these wells are injection wells which are utilized to inject a fluid into a petroleum reservoir, said fluid being then forced through the reservoir towards a plurality of production wells from which the fluid and mobilized petroleum from the reservoir are produced, an improvement is added comprising utilizing the wells at the corners of each nearly square grid as injection wells, drilling two additional wells within each grid along one diagonal and then utilizing these two additional wells as new production wells.

Abstract: An enhanced petroleum oil recovery method for increasing the quantity of oil recoverable from an underground deposit thereof is provided which involves injecting into a first point in such deposit a liquid mixture of low molecular weight, light hydrocarbons; alternately reducing and raising the back pressure exerted on said deposit so as to alternately induce boiling and condensation of said light hydrocarbon mixture; recovering from a second point in said deposit under controlled back pressure a mixture of said light hydrocarbons and oil; separating the light hydrocarbons from the extracted petroleum oil by distillation; and then recycling the light hydrocarbons to the injection step. Another aspect of the invention involves utilizing the essential features thereof for the recovery of oil from oil-bearing sands, e.g. tar sands, which are mined and brought to the surface.

Abstract: A method of gasification of coal in deep, thin seams by using controlled bending subsidence to confine gas flow to a region close to the unconsumed coal face. The injection point is moved sequentially around the perimeter of a coal removal area from a production well to sweep out the area to cause the controlled bending subsidence. The injection holes are drilled vertically into the coal seam through the overburden or horizontally into the seam from an exposed coal face. The method is particularly applicable to deep, thin seams found in the eastern United States and at abandoned strip mines where thin seams were surface mined into a hillside or down a modest dip until the overburden became too thick for further mining.

Abstract: A method of heating a hydrocarbon material contained in a recovery zone in an underground hydrocarbon material-bearing formation to reduce the viscosity thereof for facilitating recovery of the hydrocarbon material, in which a gaseous penetration medium comprising a gaseous working fluid and a carrier gas, is fed into the formation at a penetration pressure sufficient for penetration of the recovery zone, the working fluid being a water soluble gas which generates heat of solution upon absorption in an aqueous medium, and in which the partial pressure of the working fluid in relation to the penetration pressure and the temperature prevailing in the recovery zone is controlled to inhibit working fluid condensation but to provide for absorption of working fluid by water present in the formation to release heat for heating the hydrocarbon material in the recovery zone.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of recovering petroleum from a subterranean petroleum-containing formation comprising the steps of providing an injection well containing a flow path in fluid communication with at least a portion of the petroleum-containing formation, providing at least one production well in fluid communication with at least a portion of the petroleum-containing formation, providing heated and pressurized combustion byproducts, rendering the combustion byproducts relatively inert by contacting same with manganese and/or manganese dioxide, heating the combustion byproducts to a predetermined temperature, and injecting the heated combustion byproducts into the injection well for heating the petroleum in the petroleum-containing formation to render it less viscous and for pressurizing the petroleum to help force it to the production well for receiving it from the petroleum-containing formation.