Patent ID: 8627886

Claim:
A method of extracting a hydrocarbon from a hydrocarbon bearing matrix material comprising the steps of: (a) generating a compound heat medium comprising fuel combustion products, carbon dioxide and steam at elevated temperature and pressure by steps of: in a first stage combusting a fuel in the presence of an oxidant and a moderator to create products of combustion at an elevated temperature and pressure comprising carbon dioxide; in a second stage contacting a steam generating medium with said products of combustion at elevated temperature and pressure, to generate steam; (b) delivering the compound heat medium at pressure to the hydrocarbon bearing matrix material thereby condensing steam and heating and mobilizing a portion of hydrocarbons; (c) recovering under pressure a mobilized portion comprising hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide, and separating pressurized carbon dioxide from the mobilized portion, wherein separating pressurized carbon dioxide from the mobilized portion, further comprises at least one of compressing, purifying and dehydrating the carbon dioxide for use in subsequent processing.