Abstract: Disclosed is a gravity-drainage assisted steam flooding process for the recovery of all from thin viscous heavy oil reservoirs using a single horizontal wellbore. Steam is injected through a fully or partially insulated tubing to exit at or near the toe of a long horizontal well penetrating a viscous oil reservoir. Initially, low (10-30%) quality steam is circulated along the well to condition the wellbore and increase the heated radius to about 1 or 2 meters. Oil and reservoir fluids immediately adjacent to the wellbore are produced through the annular space between the insulated tubing string and a slotted liner that surrounds it. After the period of low quality steam circulation, the production outlet is shut in or constrained and steam injection is continued to initiate an active steam chamber zone along a portion of the wellbore.

Abstract: A down-hole gas separator for a pump provides for the pumping of liquids from the lower portion of an inclined or horizontal passageway. The separator includes a nozzle for connecting to a pump inlet. The nozzle has an inlet and an outlet. The nozzle outlet is connected to the pump inlet. The separator is provided with means to cause the nozzle inlet to seek a lowermost position.