Abstract: A process for improved safety and productivity when undertaking oil recovery from an underground reservoir by the toe-to-heel in situ combustion process employing a horizontal production well. Water, steam, and/or a non-oxidizing gas, which in the preferred embodiment substantially comprises carbon dioxide which acts as a gaseous solvent, is injected into the reservoir for improving recovery in an in situ combustion recovery process, via either an injection well, a horizontal well, or both.

Abstract: A well configuration is provided comprising an injection well (102) completed relatively high in an oil reservoir (100) and a production well (103-106) completed relatively low in the reservoir (100). The production well has a horizontal leg (107) oriented generally perpendicularly to a generally linear and laterally extending, upright combustion front propagated from the injection well (102). The leg (107) is positioned in the path of the advancing front. Oil upgrading catalyst has been emplaced along the horizontal leg. The production well (103-106) is maintained open, thereby providing a low pressure sink which induces the front to advance along the leg. The hot combustion gases react with the commingled oil over the catalyst to provide in situ upgrading.

Abstract: In an underground oil reservoir, an injection well is completed low in the reservoir and a production well is provided having a horizontal leg completed relatively high in the reservoir and a vertical leg completed low in the reservoir. Water is injected with the vertical leg open and the horizontal leg closed, so that a displacement front advances in an under-riding manner between the wells and oil is produced through the vertical leg. Once the water break-through in the vertical leg occurs, it is closed and the horizontal leg is opened. A rising, horizontal, gravity-stable displacement front then advances upwardly toward the horizontal leg, through which oil is produced. The open horizontal leg acts as a low pressure sink to induce the horizontal displacement front to advance up toward it. This two-stage process is characterized by a good vertical and lateral sweep.

Abstract: The process involves a well stimulation treatment of a hydrocarbon reservoir containing solid pyrobitumen. A strong oxidant, preferably sodium hypochlorite, is injected into the reservoir as an aqueous solution containing 5 wt. % or higher concentration of the oxidant. The oxidant is retained in contact with the formation for a predetermined retention period and the well is then backflowed or pumped to remove oxidation products. The permeability of the reservoir is improved, apparently by conversion of the solid pyrobitumen to removable gaseous and liquid products.

Abstract: Single-stage catalytic conversion of a gas mixture, having a molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide greater than 1.9, to hydrocarbons boiling in the gasoline or diesel range, is achieved using three catalysts in admixture. The first is a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst with catalytic activity for the conversion of H.sub.2 and CO into hydrocarbons. The second is a methanol conversion catalyst with catalytic activity for the conversion of methanol into hydrocarbons, such as a crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite or crystalline silicate. Finally, the third is a methanol synthesis catalyst with catalytic activity for both the water-gas shift reaction and methanol synthesis. This combination of catalysts provides high carbon conversion of CO to hydrocarbons, and a high yield of liquid products.

Abstract: A process is provided for enhancing the recovery of oil in a subterranean formation. The process involves injecting a surfactant-containing foam having oil-imbibing and transporting properties. A foam having such properties is selected either by determination of the lamella number or by micro-visualization techniques.

Abstract: A foam is provided for use in a subterranean oil-bearing formation for reducing and controlling the mobility of a gaseous drive fluid. The foam is generated using an inert gas and a fluorocarbon surfactant solution in admixture with an amphoteric or anionic hydrocarbon surfactant solution. A relatively small amount of the fluorocarbon surfactant is operative, when mixed with the hydrocarbon surfactant and foamed, to generate a foam that has better stability when in contact with oil than a foam made with hydrocarbon surfactant alone.

Abstract: A process is provided for enhancing the recovery of oil in a subterranean formation. The process involves injecting a surfactant-containing foam having oil-imbibing and transporting properties. A foam having such properties is selected either by determination of the lamella number or by micro-visualization techniques.