Patent ID: 9644468
Date: 2017-05-09
CPC Classifications: E21B

Claim:
1. A method of producing bitumen from a subterranean formation, comprising: injecting oxidant into a bitumen-comprising zone of the reservoir such that combustion of bitumen of the bitumen-comprising zone is effected by the injected oxidant; injecting steam into the bitumen-comprising zone; wherein: the injecting of the steam is such that the bitumen-comprising zone is sufficiently heated such that the combustion includes high temperature oxidation such that heat energy is produced; and mobilization of residual bitumen of the bitumen-comprising zone is effected by the injected steam and the produced heat energy of the high temperature oxidation; and producing the mobilized residual bitumen; wherein, during a first time interval, the injecting of the oxidant and the injecting of the steam is effected simultaneously, and the ratio of the molar rate of supply of oxidant to the molar rate of supply of steam is a first ratio during the first time interval; and wherein, during a second time interval occurring after the first time interval, the injecting of the oxidant and the injecting of the steam is effected simultaneously, and the ratio of the molar rate of injection of the oxidant to the molar rate of injection of the steam is a second ratio during the second time interval; and wherein the second ratio is greater than the first ratio.