Abstract: Bitumen is recovered from a subterranean formation of heavy oil sands traversed by at least one injection well and at least one associated production well in fluid communication with each injection well. Air in admixture with a heating fluid selected from the group consisting of low quality steam, hot water, or mixtures thereof, and an alkalinity agent are injected into the formation by way of each injection well. The subterranean heavy oil sands are thereby raised to a temperature in the range of about 200.degree. to 350.degree. F. A portion of the bitumen at reduced viscosity is oxidized without burning to produce additional petroleum acids which are neutralized to form emulsifying agents. The condensed steam and/or hot water contacting the bitumen form with it a bitumen-water emulsion. By pressure from the injected mixture of air and heating fluid, the resulting bitumen-water emulsion is then recovered from each production well.

Abstract: A process for recovering bitumen from oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions is disclosed wherein water soluble demulsifiers are used. These demulsifiers are hydrophilic polyurethanes wherein the ethylene oxide content of the polyol portion of the polyurethane is greater than about 70% by weight. To resolve the bituminous petroleum emulsions, the process is carried out between 25.degree. and 120.degree. C. wherein the demulsifier of the invention is contacted with the bituminous emulsion.

Abstract: A process for recovering bitumen from oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions is disclosed wherein water soluble demulsifiers are used. These demulsifiers are polyols of 2 and greater functionality containing predominantly mixed ethylene oxide and propylene oxide wherein the ethylene oxide content of the polyol (by weight) is greater than about 70% but less than about 95%. The molecular weight of these polyols is greater than about 10,000. To resolve the bituminous petroleum emulsions, the process is carried out between 25.degree. and 120.degree. C. wherein the demulsifier of the invention is contacted with the bituminous emulsion.

Abstract: A process for recovering bitumen from oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions is disclosed wherein water soluble demulsifiers are used. These demulsifiers are polyols of 4 and greater functionality containing discrete blocks of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide wherein the ethylene oxide content of the polyol is greater than about 50% but less than about 95%. The molecular weight of these polyols is greater than about 12,000. To resolve the bituminous petroleum emulsions, the process is carried out between 25.degree. and 120.degree. C. wherein the demulsifier of the invention is contacted with the bituminous emulsion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for breaking an oil-in-water emulsion, in particular a raw emulsion produced in in situ tar sand plants, by first contacting with a polyethylene polymeric resin having a molecular weight in the range of 100,000 and 7,000,000 the raw emulsions; allowing to stand for two to four hours; adding a hydrocarbon diluent, optionally containing a larger amount of resin and then removing a mixture of diluent and oil floating on the water surface.

Abstract: A process for recovering oil from oil-in-water petroleum emulsions stabilized with clay and/or other solids by subjecting them to the action of an optimum amount of non-ionic, water-soluble, aryl sulfonates-oxyalkylated phenol formaldehyde resins at a pH of 7.0 to 8.0 and then adding a saturated aqueous alkali metal halide solution to the resulting mixture. The process is carried out at between about 200.degree. F. and 240.degree. F. and the mixture is allowed to stand in the quiescent state for a period of about 1 to about 10 hours to allow the halide solution to increase the specific gravity of the resulting aqueous phase by at least 0.02 thereby causing the bitumen to float and facilitating recovery of the oil.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for breaking emulsions in fluids from in situ tar sands producing areas by adding thereto from 30 to 50 volume percent of a hydrocarbon diluent; an effective amount of a non-ionic water-soluble polyethylene oxide polymeric resin having a molecular weight in the range of 100,000 to 1,000,000 followed by the addition of 500 to 800 ppm of an alkali metal hydroxide which reacts with clays tending to stabilize the emulsion to prevent and remove clay deposits in the treating equipment. The hydroxide also enhances the ability of the resin to break the emulsion.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for subjecting discrete core specimens which have been removed from a subterranean strata or formation, and which contain an amount of bitumen, to a test procedure whereby to evaluate the response of different subterranean formations to a specified recovery process.

Abstract: A method for the in-situ recovery of viscous oils or bitumen from subterranean oil-bearing formations by the injection of steam or a mixture of steam and an oxygen-containing gas under operating conditions that utilize pressurization and drawdown cycles wherein carbon dioxide is injected at the start of the pressurization cycle.

Abstract: A method for the in-situ recovery of low API gravity oils or bitumen from subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formations wherein the recovery is optimized by the injection of a mixture of an oxygen-containing gas and steam until the recovery efficiency declines, followed by the injection of a mixture of light hydrocarbon and steam, under operating conditions that may utilize pressurization and drawdown cycles.