It is estimated that Canada has 1.7 trillion barrels of oil contained in oil sands located mainly in Alberta. However, the oil contained in the oil sands is a very viscous, tar-like substance that does not flow on its own and cannot be produced with conventional methods. Economical production of this vast resource requires new technology and research. Research in Canada has helped maintain leadership in heavy oil recovery technology.

Results from five experiments in trough models and two in micromodels show that the rate of interface advancement in the presence of a NCG is proportional to the square root of time. Similarly, cumulative volume of oil produced was proportional to the square root of time. Previous works [Ramakrishnan (2003), James (2003), Oduntan, (2001)] have shown that interface advancement and production using a pure solvent was proportional to time. In the experimental range examined (24--32°C) temperature did not effect the rate of production for a given time or interface location.

The average steady state effective diffusion coefficient was calculated from production data to be 0.116 cm2 /s, five times larger than estimated from the Hirschfelder Equation.

Live oil properties were found to be consistent throughout each experiment and between experiments. On average, live oil contained 46--48 wt% pentane and viscosity was reduced by four orders of magnitude from 23,000 mPa*s to 4--6 mPa*s. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)