CA2735312A1

CA2735312A1 - Apparatus for oil extraction from oil sands

Info

Publication number: CA2735312A1
Application number: CA 2735312
Authority: CA
Inventors: James S. Adamson
Original assignee: James S. Adamson; Hendrick Van Der Lee, James
Current assignee: HENDRICK VAN DER LEE JAMES
Priority date: 2011-03-21
Filing date: 2011-03-21
Publication date: 2012-09-21
Anticipated expiration: 2031-03-21
Also published as: CA2735312C

Abstract

Oil is separated from oil sands using an elongated probe member with a semi-circular front surface and a tapered rear surface so that the probe member is advanced forwardly through the oil sands when vibrated. Protrusions on the surface agitate the oil sands to assist in releasing the oil sands and a rearward tail portion pacts the sand after the oil is released. Vibration may be accomplished by a static pressure conduit and a cyclically variable pressure conduit alongside one another in the longitudinal direction of a resilient body of the probe. A probe support assembly may support several probe members circumferentially spaced from one another so as to be oriented to rotate the assembly in a common circumferential direction when vibrated in respective forward directions.

Description

APPARATUS FOR OIL EXTRACTION FROM OIL SANDS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system and apparatus for the separation of oil and the like from oil sands either as an in situ oil sands formation or in a bed of oil sands which have been placed in a vessel subsequent to mining for processing.

BACKGROUND
As described in Canadian Patent Application No. 2,445,173, filed April 24, 2002 for an In Situ Recovery From a Tar Sands Formation, hydrocarbons obtained from subterranean formations are often used as energy resources, as feedstocks, and as consumer products. Concerns over depletion of available hydrocarbon resources have led to development of processes for more efficient recovery, processing and/or use of available hydrocarbon resources. In situ processes may be used to remove hydrocarbon materials from subterranean formations. Chemical and/or physical properties of hydrocarbon material within a subterranean formation may need to be changed to allow hydrocarbon material to be removed from the subterranean formation. The chemical and physical changes may result from in situ reactions that produce removable fluids, composition changes, solubility changes, phase changes, and/or viscosity changes of the hydrocarbon material within the formation. A fluid may be, but is not limited to, a gas, a liquid, an emulsion, a slurry, and/or a stream of solid particles with flow characteristics similar to liquid flow. Large deposits of heavy hydrocarbons (e.g., heavy oil and/or tar) contained within formations (e.g., in oil sands) are found in North America, South America, and. Asia. Tar sand deposits may be mined. Surface processes may separate bitumen from sand and/or other material removed along with the

2 hydrocarbons. The separated bitumen may be converted to light hydrocarbons using conventional refinery methods. Mining and upgrading tar sand is usually substantially more expensive than producing lighter hydrocarbons from conventional oil reservoirs.

In Canadian Patent Application No. 2,445,173, heat is provided from one or more heat sources to a portion of the oil sands formation. The heat may be allowed to transfer from the heat source(s) to a selected section of the formation to pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section. A mixture of hydrocarbons of a selected quality may be produced from the selected section by controlling production of the mixture to adjust the time that at least some hydrocarbons are exposed to pyrolysis temperatures in the formation.

Canadian Patent 1,037,862 by James Adamson discloses a system and apparatus for extracting oil and the like from oil sands in situ. The method includes circulating steam, solvent or fluids through the sand while constantly agitating the sand to scrub and wash the oil free whereupon the oil is carried back to the surface. A

vibrating probe assembly is utilized which is highly manoeuverable and which fluidizes the sand immediately surrounding same thus facilitating the movement of the probe and assisting in the scrubbing and separating action of the solvents or steam upon the sand. The probe includes means for extending same into the sand to the bottom of a well bore so that the vibration in conjunction with the probe configuration moves the probe through the sand in a horizontal plane or, if desired, up and down at an angle from the horizontal. The voids remaining in the clean sand are filled with water so that the probe floats on the surface of the water. The oil which has been separated from the sand floats on the water to the well bore and thence is elevated to the surface by the pressure of the steam, solvent or fluid circulation.

3 As describe above, there has previously been some effort to develop methods and systems to economically produce hydrocarbons, hydrogen, and/or other products from oil sands formations. At present, however, there are still many oil sands formations from which hydrocarbons, hydrogen, and/or other products cannot be economically produced. Thus, there is still a need for improved methods and systems for production of hydrocarbons, hydrogen, and/or other products from various oil sands formations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for the separation of oil and the like from oil sands comprising:

a probe member which is elongated in a longitudinal direction, the probe member including a front surface portion which is substantially semi-circular about a longitudinal axis of the probe member and a tapered rear surface portion which is gradually reduced in thickness in a rearward direction from the front surface portion towards a rear apex opposite the front surface portion;

a probe support assembly which is arranged to suspend the probe member within the oil sands and to control the direction of the probe member;

a vibrating mechanism arranged to vibrate the probe member;

the probe member being supported by the probe support assembly so as to be arranged to move through the oil sand in a forward direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the probe member when vibrated by the vibrating mechanism;

the rear surface portion of the probe member having a greater surface area than the front surface portion such the that front surface portion presents less frictional resistance to the oil sand than the rear surface portion;

an injector conduit supported by the probe support assembly and

4 arranged to convey an oil-from-sand separating fluid to the probe member and to discharge the oil-from-sand separating fluid into oil sands adjacent to the probe; and a plurality of spaced apart protrusions on at feast the front surface portion of the probe member so as to protrude generally radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the probe member.

In some embodiments, the protrusions comprise elongated ribs formed on the rear surface portion so as to extend generally in the rearward direction. The elongated ribs may extend from the front surface portion towards the apex at an inclination to the rearward direction. More particularly, when the probe member is supported at one end on the probe support assembly such that the probe member extends outward from the probe support assembly in the longitudinal direction towards the opposing end, the elongated ribs may be oriented to decrease in distance from the probe support assembly in the rearward direction from the front surface portion to. the rear apex. In this instance, the ribs act to maintain tension on the probe member relative to the probe support as it moves forwardly through the oil sands.

Alternatively, the protrusions may comprise elongated ribs formed on the front surface portion so as to extend generally in the longitudinal direction of the probe member. The elongated ribs in this instance may be ramped in profile so as to increase in thickness protruding outward from the surface portion in the rearward direction so as to increase friction in the rearward direction only to better encourage forward movement of the probe member when vibrated. The ribs may also have a substantially constant thickness between opposed longitudinally extending edges while still being effective at increasing friction in the rearward direction.

In yet further embodiments, the protrusions may be formed on at least the front surface portion so as to be spaced apart from one another in a first direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction and spaced apart from one another in a second direction oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction. In this instance each protrusion preferably extends outward from the surface portion of the probe member to a respective pointed apex to assist in breaking up clumps of material

5 encountered by the probe member. Furthermore, each protrusion may be formed of metal and may have a greater hardness than the surface portion of the probe member upon which the protrusion is supported.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for the separation of oil and the like from oil sands comprising:
a probe member which is elongated in a longitudinal direction, the probe member including a front surface portion which is substantially semi-circular about a longitudinal axis of the probe member and a tapered rear surface portion which is gradually reduced in thickness in a rearward direction from the front surface portion towards a rear apex opposite the front surface portion;

a probe support assembly which is arranged to suspend the probe member within the oil sands and to control the direction of the probe member;

a vibrating mechanism arranged to vibrate the probe member;

the probe member being supported by the probe support assembly so as to be arranged to move through the oil sand in a forward direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the probe member when vibrated by the vibrating mechanism;

the rear surface portion of the probe member having a greater surface area than the front surface portion such the that front surface portion presents less frictional resistance to the oil sand than the rear surface portion;

an injector conduit supported by the probe support assembly and arranged to convey an oil-from-sand separating fluid to the probe member and to

6 discharge the oil-from-sand separating fluid into oil sands adjacent to the probe; and a tail portion extending generally rearwardly from the rear apex and having a substantially constant thickness.
The tail section may be rigid and arranged to be substantially fixed in orientation relative to the surface portions of the probe member. The tail section may oriented parallel to or transversely to the rearward direction depending upon the desired packing effect.
When the probe member includes a longitudinally extending mounting flange at the rear apex, preferably the tail section is arranged to be selectively mounted on the mounting flange.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for the separation of oil and the like from oil sands comprising:
a plurality of probe members which are elongated in respective longitudinal directions, each probe member including a front surface portion which is substantially semi-circular about a longitudinal axis of the probe member and a tapered rear surface portion which is gradually reduced in thickness in a rearward direction from the front surface portion towards a rear apex opposite the front surface portion;
a vibrating mechanism arranged to vibrate the probe members;

the rear surface portion of each probe member having a greater surface area than the front surface portion such the that front surface portion presents less frictional resistance to the oil sand than the rear surface portion;

a probe support assembly which is arranged to suspend the probe members within the oil sands and to control the direction of the probe members;

the probe support assembly supporting the probe members thereon

7 such that:

the probe members are circumferentially spaced about a central axis of the probe support assembly;

each probe member extends upwardly at a radially outward inclination from a bottom end of the probe support assembly in a working position;
and respective forward directions of the probe members are oriented in a circumferential direction about the probe support assembly such that the probe members are arranged to move through the oil sand in the circumferential direction about the central axis of the probe support assembly when vibrated by the vibrating mechanism; and an injector conduit supported by the probe support assembly and arranged to convey an oil-from-sand separating fluid to the probe member and to discharge the oil-from-sand separating fluid into oil sands adjacent to the probe.
Each probe member may be pivotal relative to the probe support assembly between the working position and a deploying position oriented parallel to and alongside the probe support assembly.

Preferably the injector conduit is supported on the probe support so as to be centrally located relative to the probe members.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for the separation of oil and the like from oil sands comprising:

a plurality of probe members which are elongated in respective longitudinal directions, each probe member including a front surface portion which is substantially semi-circular about a longitudinal axis of the probe member and a tapered rear surface portion which is gradually reduced in thickness in a rearward

8 direction from the front surface portion towards a rear apex opposite the front surface portion;

a vibrating mechanism arranged to vibrate the probe members;

the rear surface portion of each probe member having a greater surface area than the front surface portion such the that front surface portion presents less frictional resistance to the oil sand than the rear surface portion;

a probe support assembly which is arranged to suspend the probe members within the oil sands and to control the direction of the probe members;

the probe support assembly supporting the probe members thereon such that:

the probe members are circumferentially spaced about a substantially vertical central axis of the probe support assembly;

the probe members are substantially parallel to one another; and respective forward directions of the probe members are oriented in a circumferential direction about the probe support assembly such that the probe members are arranged to move through the oil sand in the circumferential direction about the central axis of the probe support assembly when vibrated by the vibrating mechanism; and an injector conduit supported by the probe support assembly and arranged to convey an oil-from-sand separating fluid to the probe member and to discharge the oil-from-sand separating fluid into oil sands adjacent to the probe.
Preferably the injector conduit is supported on the probe support so as to be centrally located relative to the probe members in this instance.

The probe members may be interconnected by link members extending generally in the circumferential direction between adjacent ones of the probe

9 members at longitudinally spaced positions between opposing ends of the probe members.

According to another aspect of the present invention. there is provided an apparatus for the separation of oil and the like from oil sands comprising:

a probe member which is elongated in a longitudinal direction, the probe member including a front surface portion which is substantially semi-circular about a longitudinal axis of the probe member and a tapered rear surface portion which is gradually reduced in thickness in a rearward direction from the front surface portion towards a rear apex opposite the front surface portion;
a probe support assembly which is arranged to suspend the probe member within the oil sands and to control the direction of the probe member;

a vibrating mechanism arranged to vibrate the probe member;

the probe member being supported by the probe support assembly so as to be arranged to move through the oil sand in a forward direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the probe member when vibrated by the vibrating mechanism;

the rear surface portion of the probe member having a greater surface area than the front surface portion such the that front surface portion presents less frictional resistance to the oil sand than the rear surface portion; and an injector conduit supported by the probe support assembly and arranged to convey an oil-from-sand separating fluid to the probe member and to discharge the oil-from-sand separating fluid into oil sands adjacent to the probe;
the vibrating mechanism comprising first and second longitudinally extending conduits, the first conduit being in communication with a source arranged to be maintained at a constant pressure and the second conduit being in communication with a source arranged to be cyclically varied between an upper pressure and a lower pressure, the first and second conduits being separated by a common resilient divider wall extending longitudinally along a full length of the probe member such that the divider wall reciprocates with the cyclical pressure variation in the second conduit.

Some embodiments of the invention will now be described in 5 conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a partly sectional elevational view of a first embodiment of a probe support assembly for supporting a probe member for separation of oil from oil sands.

10 Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of a first embodiment of the probe member.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of a first embodiment of the vibrating mechanism of the probe member.

Figure 4 is a sectional perspective view of a first embodiment of protrusions on the probe member.

Figure 5 and Figure 6 are cross sectional views of alternate embodiments of the tail section of the probe member.

Figures 7 through 10 are sectional perspective views of alternate embodiments to the protrusions on the probe members.

Figure 11 is a sectional elevational view of a second embodiment of the probe support assembly.

Figure 12 is a side elevational view of a third embodiment of the probe support assembly in a working position.

Figure 13 is a top plan view of the assembly according to Figure 12 in the working position.

11 Figure 14 is a side elevational view of the assembly of Figure 12 in a deploying position.

Figures 15 and 16 are perspective views of a further embodiment of the probe support assembly.

Figure 17 is an elevational view of a further embodiment of the probe support assembly.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the accompanying figures, there is illustrated a probe member 100 for use in separation of oil and the like from an oil sands formation or in separation of oil from an oil sands bed placed in a processing vessel for processing subsequent to being mined. In each instance, a probe support assembly 102 supports the probe member 100 in the oil sands.

Proceeding therefore to describe the invention in detail, reference should first be made to FIG. 1 which shows schematically, an oil sand formation including the overburden 10, the sedimentary rock or base 11 of the formation and the sedimentary bed 12 of oil sand which may be up to 200 feet in depth.

The probe member 100 is supported by the probe support assembly in the oil sands formation such that vibration of the probe member 100 causes the probe member to be displaced through the oil sands in a forward direction of the probe member.

Although various embodiments of the probe member and the probe support assembly are described and illustrated in the following, it is to be understood

12 that any embodiment of the probe member 100 can be applied to any embodiment of the probe support assembly 102.

In each instance the probe member 100 includes a front surface portion 32 and a rear surface portion 33. These portions are situated one upon each side of a longitudinally extending axis. Typically the front surface portion is semi-circular about the longitudinal axis when viewed in cross section whereas the rear surface portion 33 is a tapered or streamlined configuration which gradually reduces in thickness in a rearward direction from the front surface portion to a rear apex to facilitate the mobility of the probe through the sand. More particularly the rear surface portion 33 comprises two opposed surfaces which are substantially planar and which decrease in distance from one another in the rearward direction from a greatest distance or thickness at their connection to opposing sides of the semi-circular front surface portion to the shortest distance or thickness at the rear apex where the opposed surfaces are joined.
It will also be observed that there is more surface area of the tapered portion 33 at the rear of a longitudinally extending center line 34 than there is in front of the center line 34. Therefore, the lesser surface of the front surface portion 32 presents less friction to the movement of the probe than the surface of the rear surface portion 33. This means that the probe will move in a forward direction opposite to the rear apex when vibrated.
Turning now to Figure 1, a first embodiment of the probe support assembly 102 corresponding to the support assembly of Canadian Patent No.
1,037,862 will now be described in which a well bore 13 is drilled downwardly through the overburden to adjacent the base of the bed 12 and a directional casing 14 is then extended downwardly through this well bore and supported by conventional means on

13 the surface 15 of the overburden 10. The lower end of this casing is turned substantially at right angles and a plurality of rollers are journalled around the open end of this portion of the casing.

A vibrating probe assembly including the probe member 100 extends downwardly through the directional casing 14. The lower end portion of this probe assembly is secured to the main portion by means of an elastomeric or other resilient universal joint. The main portion 20 takes the form of an extension casing whereas the lower end portion 19 is made up of a plurality of segments connected together by flexible or resilient joints to define the probe member 100 which vibrates through the oil sands. The penetration of this lower end portion through the oil sand initially, may be facilitated by vibrating the lower end portion. These probes may be vibrated by various methods including rotating mechanical components, electrically driven components, or pulsing pressure from steam, hydraulics or pneumatics.

The casing 14 thus supports the probe member 100 such that the longitudinal direction of the probe members extends radially outward from the probe support assembly at one end thereof to the opposing end freely suspended in the oil sands. The probe member 100 is thus situated horizontally in this instance and will move around in a circle with the forward direction being aligned in a circumferential direction about the casing 14 which has a vertical axis defining the centre of the circle.

An oil-from-sand separating fluid or gas, or combination, is also fed downwardly through the vibrating probe assembly casing 20 to the lower end portion 19. A longitudinally extending bore or drilling is formed through a portion of the lower end portion of the probe assembly and exits at the distal end. If desired, other drillings or bores may extend between the bore and the surface of the lower end portion of the probe assembly to further distribute this fluid. The fluid takes the form of steam,

14 solvent or other fluid which will assist in the separation of the oil from the sand particles.

As shown in Figure 1, a steam generator 39 is provided on the surface and steam is conveyed, to the casing 20 and thence to the lower end portion through the bore. This, together with the vibration effect of the lower end portion of the probe assembly, fluidizes the sand immediately surrounding the lower end portion thus facilitating the movement of the lower end portion through the sand bed. This movement maintains the lower end portion of the probe assembly in contact with the working face of the oil sand being treated. As the oil is separated from the grains of sand in the fluidized area surrounding the lower end portion 19, this oil together with the fluid or steam used to separate the oil from the sand, floats towards the directional casing 14 and floats upwardly to the surface where it may be separated in a separator such as that illustrated schematically by reference character 40. The water level is constantly maintained to fill the voids created by the removal of the bitumen or oil and to keep the lower end portion 19 of the probe which is buoyant, at the working face illustrated in FIG. I by reference character 41. In this regard, cold water is fed downwardly through the directional casing 14 by means of conduit 42 leading to the surface and this conduit discharges below the directional casing as illustrated by reference character 43. The cold water is carried to the base of the sands by the conduit 42 and this elevates the hot water layer 44 caused by the condensation of the steam, and also elevates the lower end portion 19 of the probe assembly thus keeping in contact with the working face 41. The granular nature of the sand effectively prevents convection currents from mixing the hot water layer 44 with the colder water layer below and heat losses are therefore minimal. By keeping the lower end portion in the horizontal position and by raising same gradually as it rotates, the entire layer of oil sand can be treated and the oil removed therefrom.
However, if desired, the buoyancy of the lower end portion can be overcome by directing the probe from the horizontal. This is effected by rotating the probe assembly axially slightly so that the front of the probe assembly points upwardly or downwardly so that 5 the probe can be directed as desired. As mentioned previously, steam, solvents or chemicals or any combination of same can be fed to the lower end portion 19 as hereinbefore described.
As shown in Figure 3, the vibration mechanism for vibrating the probe member may comprise a hydraulic conduit 104 and a steam conduit 106 which extend 10 alongside one another in the longitudinal direction along the full length of the probe member between opposing ends thereof. In this instance, the probe member is extruded as a single unitary body of seemless material forming the two conduits therein such that the conduits share a common wall therebetween which is thin enough to be resilient as relative pressure between the two conduits varies.
In this

15 instance, the steam conduit 106 is provided with a constant supply of steam pressure to maintain the pressure in the steam conduit relatively constant in use. The pressure can be maintained constant by a suitable relief valve set to relieve pressure above a prescribed pressure value. The hydraulic conduit 104 is in communication with a hydraulic pump which permits the pressure within the hydraulic conduit to be cycled between upper and lower limits with the reciprocation of the pump.
Specifically, the pressure within the hydraulic conduit is cycled between upper and lower limits which are above and below the prescribed pressure of the relief valve and the corresponding constant pressure maintained in the steam conduit. The common flexible wall between the two conduits is thus rapidly reciprocated in opposing forward and rearward directions of the probe member. The probe is typically extruded of

16 rubber or a suitable wear resistant plastic so that the conduits extending therethrough can expand or contract sufficiently to vibrate the probe member and under the influence of the reciprocating pump. In the illustrated embodiment, the conduits both have a circular cross section and occupy a majority of the cross sectional area of the probe member, however any other suitable shape of conduit may be used to similarly vibrate the probe member.
In all of the embodiments of the probe member, the probe member is typically provided with a tail section 108 which projects rearwardly outward from the rear apex along the full length of the probe member between opposing ends thereof in the longitudinal direction. The tail section is a substantially flat rigid member extending outward from the longitudinal axis of the probe member in the rear direction so as to be substantially radially oriented in relation to the longitudinal axis of the probe member.
The probe member may include a mounting flange 110 at the rear apex which is oriented in the longitudinal direction and which is integrally extruded together with the body of the probe member onto which the tail section 108 may be selectively fastened. By connecting the tail section to the mounting flange 110 using suitable fasteners, the tail section can be readily removed and replaced as desired.
Furthermore, the tail section can be readily formed of different materials than the probe member. For example the tail section may be formed of a more rigid material to preserve the shape of the tail member instead of the resilient material of the body of the probe member which allows the vibration of the probe member as described above.

As shown in Figure 2, the tail section may be a planar member lying in a flat common plane and extending rearward so as to be parallel with the rear direction

17 from the front surface portion to the rear apex of the probe member.

Alternatively, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the tail section may be non-planar and may be oriented transversely to the rear direction. In particular, one side of the tail section may be concave in profile with the opposing side beam convex when the tail section is of constant thickness as in all of the embodiments described herein.

Furthermore, the tail section may include an inclined section adjacent the rear apex which is planar and transverse to the rear direction together with a second section which is curved in the opposing direction of the inclination such that the inner side closest to the rear apex is concave as shown in Figure 6.
The tail section could be part of the extrusion of the probe, or alternatively the probe could have metal plates set into the extrusion that form the mounting flange 110 onto which the different tail sections could be fastened.

When the probe is operated in a horizontal orientation, the tail orientation can be inclined upwardly or downwardly in a rearward direction for packing different layers of the oil sand bed as the probe member passes therethrough.
Similarly, in a vertical orientation of the probe member, the tail section may be inclined either to the right or to the left for steering the probe member through the oil sand bed.
The tail section may also be set in a straight line or otherwise adjusted to prevent a helicopter effect where the motion of rotating weights of alternative embodiments of the vibrating mechanism would otherwise have a tendency to turn the probe about its longitudinal axis from its intended direction. In either instance, the tail section provides final packing to the sand after the oil has been removed as well as providing a drying effect on the sand and that the tail packs the sand so densely behind it that it forces some of the water and oil out of the sand for a collection on the surface of the

18 formation, The tail section could also provide a drying effect to serve in removal of water from the slurry to speed up the drying process required in present regulations.

In addition to a tail section, the surface of the probe member is provided with a plurality of protrusions 112 spaced apart from one another on the front surface portion, on the rear surface portion, or both so as to protrude generally radially outward from a longitudinal axis of the probe member.

As shown in the embodiment of Figure 4, the protrusions 112 may comprise longitudinally extending ribs having a ramped profile such that the thickness of the ribs in the radial direction from the longitudinal axis increases in the rearward direction. The protrusions 112 in this instance provide a ratcheting action on the surrounding oil sands to improve advancement of the probe member in the forward direction through the oil sands.

As shown in Figure 7, in an alternate embodiment of the protrusions 112 may be spaced apart from one another in a first direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction as well as in a second direction corresponding to a lateral direction oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction across the surface of the probe member. In this instance each protrusion preferably extends outward from the surface of the probe member to a respective pointed apex. The protrusions 112 in this instance may also comprise metal studs which are harder than the extruded material forming the body of the probe member by threading studs into the surface of the probe member. The studs in this instance can be readily replaced as desired.
The pointed studs in this instance are particularly suited for breaking up clumps of clay or sand in the oil sand bed.

As shown in Figure 8, according to a further embodiment, the protrusions may comprise elongated ribs oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal

19 direction so as to extend across the rear surface portion generally parallel to the rear direction. In this instance, the ribs serve to guide the movement of the probe member through the oil sands in the forward direction while preventing any considerable movement in the longitudinal direction relative to the oil sands. In addition to improving the steering, the pressure variations in the conduits of the vibrating mechanism are better directed in the radial direction than in the longitudinal direction when the protrusions 112 provide some resistance to longitudinal distortion of the probe member.
As shown in Figure 9, according to a further embodiment, the protrusions may comprise elongated ribs extending in the longitudinal direction along the front surface portion of the probe member. In this instance, the ribs may have a constant thickness from the surface portions across the full width thereof between opposed longitudinally extending edges. The longitudinal extending ribs similarly assist in agitating fluid about the probe member for releasing oil from the surrounding sands.
As shown in Figure 10, according to a further embodiment the protrusions 112 may again comprise elongated ribs which extend from the front surface portion towards the rear apex, but at an inclination to the rear direction. This embodiment is particularly suited for instances where the probe member is supported at one end on the probe support assembly as the ribs in this instance can be oriented to decrease in distance from the probe support assembly as the ribs extend in the rearward direction from the front surface portion to the rear apex. As the probe member is displaced in the forward direction in this instance, the relative engagement between the ribs and the surrounding oil sands attempts to steer the outer free end of the probe member away from the probe support assembly to maintain tension on the probe member which keeps the probe member straight even when being formed of relatively resilient material to permit the vibration thereof by flexing conduits as shown in Figure 3.

Turning now to Figure 11, a further embodiment of the probe support 5 assembly 102 is illustrated. In this instance, a casing 116 is supported to extend into a well bore or to be otherwise suspended within an oil sands formation. The casing 116 supports a plurality of the probe members 100 thereon such that the probe members are evenly spaced apart in the circumferential direction about the vertical casing 116. Each probe member is pivotally coupled at the bottom end thereof to the 10 bottom end of the casing, such that the probe member is pivotal between a working position in which the probe member extends upward at a radially outward inclination and deploying position in which the probe member extends parallel alongside the casing 116.
Each probe member is coupled by a link 118 to the casing 116 by 15 hinging the link at an outer end at an intermediate and fixed location on the probe member such that the link extends radially inward for support on the casing at the opposing end. A slide member 120 is supported on the casing for vertical sliding movement in the axial direction of the casing onto which the inner end of the linksl 18 are pivotally coupled. The links 118 are fixed in length such that raising and lowering

20 the slides 120 along the length of the casing causes the probe members to be pivoted between the working position and the deploying position. Furthermore, minor displacements of the slide member along the casing permit the angle of the probe members relative to the casing to be adjusted. Typically a suitable linear actuator along the casing operates the slides 120 such that all of the probes are displaced together at the same inclination relative to the casing.

21 The casing supports a central pipe 122 extending axially therethrough to function as a production conduit through which produced oil is permitted to upwardly flow to the surface for collection. The annulus between the central pipe 122 and the surrounding casing defines an injector conduit through which a suitable separator fluid such as steam or chemicals and the like can be injected into the formation.
Injector conduits extending longitudinally through the probe member may be connected at the bottom inner ends of the probe members to the injector conduit for better distributing injector fluid along the length of the probe members.

In use, the probe members are oriented such that the forward direction of all of the probe members are oriented in a common circumferential direction so that vibration of the probe members causes each probe member to move in the respective forward direction thereof which in turn causes all of the probe members to be rotated together about the vertical axis of the casing due to the tendency of the probe members to advance forwardly in the oil sands formation due to the cross sectional shape thereof as described above. The inclination of the probe members relative to the casing and the rotation thereof results in a conical shaped production zone within the formation such that separation of oil from the surrounding oil sand formation along the length of the probe members causes the released oil to flow downwardly along the conical shape of the formation zone to the bottom end of the casing locating the open bottom end of the production conduit where the oil is permitted to rise upwardly to the surface. Due to the tail sections packing the sand behind the probe members as they are rotated, regardless of the direction that the assembly is displaced in the formation -there remains a generally conical production zone about the probe member so that produced oil flows downwardly to a central production conduit for extraction to the surface.

22 Turning now to Figures 12 through 14, according to a further embodiment, the probe support assembly may again comprise a central vertical casing 116 about which a plurality of probe members are evenly circumferentially spaced for hinged connection at respective bottom ends to the bottom end of the casing. The probe members are thus similarly pivotal between working and deploying positions as described above. Instead of links as described above however, in this instance a plurality of cables 124 are interconnected in a circumferential direction between adjacent ones of the probe members as well as being connected in a radial direction back to the casing at a location spaced above the probe members in the deploying position. In this manner shortening of the cables using a suitable actuator and pulleys for interconnecting the cables to a common actuator permits the probe members to be controllably pivoted upwardly from the working position to the deploying position. The cables can be commonly actuated for operating the probe members between the working and deploying positions using a suitable motorized winch 126 supported on the casing adjacent the top end thereof. Suitable motors for mechanical vibration or pumps for pulsed fluid vibration can also be mounted on the casing for commonly vibrating the probes. In the illustrated embodiment, a suitable lift mount 128 is mounted at the upper end of the casing 116 such that the casing can be suspended from a crane or a derrick for example to suspend the casing therefrom in a formation or in an oil sand bed in a processing area for example. As in previous embodiments, suitable conduits are provided for injecting a separator fluid in the vicinity of the probe members while the production conduit permits separated oil to flow therethrough to a collection area.
Turning now to Figures 15 and 16, the probe support assembly in this instance comprises a positioning plate coupled to the top ends of a plurality of probe

23 members such that the probe members are suspended therefrom at evenly spaced positions in a circumferential direction about a central vertical casing 116.
The probe members are all suspended parallel to one another in this instance while being similarly oriented with the forward directions thereof in a common circumferential direction as in the previous embodiments such that vibration causes all of the probe members to urge the assembly to rotate in a common direction about the vertical axis of the central casing 116. The casing in this instance can include both the production conduit and the injector conduit therein as in previous embodiments, or alternatively, the injector conduits can communicate downwardly through the probe members with only the production conduit extending upwardly through the central casing 116.
To maintain the parallel configuration of the probe members, adjacent ones of the probe members in the circumferential direction are connected by links 132 in which the links extend generally in a circumferential direction at a plurality of longitudinally spaced positions between each adjacent pair of the probe members. The links 132 comprise spring loaded spacers which allow a slight variation in the overall length thereof while being biased to a prescribed spacing which maintains the probe members parallel to one another.
When the vibration mechanism comprises conduits as described in Figure 3, the hydraulic conduit and steam conduit of each probe member communicates through respective connecting hoses to a central hydraulic supply and a central steam supply respectively at the casing 116 centrally on the positioning plate 130.
A lift mount 128 is also provided in this embodiment at a central location fixed above the positioning plate 130 such that the entire assembly can again be suspended from a crane for suspending the probe support assembly in an oil sands

24 formation with an exposed upper surface or a bed of oil sands in a processing area for example. In each instance, in the embodiments of Figures 11 through 16, vibration of the probes results in rotation of the entire assembly which also permits the probe members and the assembly to be displaced horizontally through an oil sands formation to extract the oil therefrom as the oil sands formation is disturbed by the probe members while the separated sand remains in the formation packed by the tail section.

Turning now to Figure 17, a plurality of probe members are supported on a common support assembly substantially as described in Figures 15 and 16, but with the central conduit functioning primarily as the injector conduit for injecting separator fluid into the formation. The produced oil rises to the surface of the formation in this instance for recovery at the surface. In this instance the directional probe can vibrate down to the required depth and be slowly turning in the oil sand.
After making one round, water would be added to the bottom layer of the sand as well as solvent, The solvent will ride on top of the water cushion which will support the solvent being lighter than water. As the water rises, the solvent also rises and the oil from the washed sand will rise to the surface through the channels created by the long vertical probe members. The oil is then gathered under a large dome or containment structure to be pumped to the refinery at the upper surface. The solvent can be recovered and sent back to continue the process of thoroughly cleaning the sands in the formation so that no settling ponds or large plants are required as the process is carried out on site. Furthermore, the water will mix with the bentonite clays and expand to seal the bottom of the operating area of the rotating probe to prevent escape of the solvent into the surrounding area.
This unit is particularly suited for operation from the surface of the sand layers when suspending the probe members from a crane for example, the bundled probe members can be lowered into the oil formation by vibration until the probe members in a deploying position reach the bedrock below. In the embodiment of Figure 12, the winch can then lower the probes into a horizontal configuration for 5 revolving through the oil and sand layer while the steam or solvent thoroughly cleans the sand. In the embodiment of Figure 12 the longitudinal actuator can slide the probe members down and outward in a similar arrangement. The central casing or tube carries the water and steam or solvent to the probes. Vibrators can also be placed around the central tube to keep the sand layer fluid for the oil and water to rise 10 to the surface to be contained in a catch basin and to then be transported to a refinery. The probe members and the components of the support assembly along the central tube are all vibrating and the surrounding area should therefore be very fluid and present a real operating environment. In some embodiments, the probes can be 20 - 40 feet in length and permit carrying steam or solvent to the working face of the 15 probe members. High pressure water or steam may be sent down through the central pipe to assist in forcing the oil to rise through the fluidizing area to the surface recovery area. When inserting the bundle and expanding it at the underside of the sands, the probe members must be in a vibrating mode for pivoting between deploying and working positions.

20 Although the term "oil" is used throughout the specification, nevertheless this term is meant to include oil or bitumen or any other mineral separated from the sand by this process. The vibrating probe assembly is mobile because of its shape and can be made to move in any direction by vibrating alone when immersed within the tar sand or similar material. The buoyancy of the vibrating probe assembly, which

25 through vibration, gives the sand a fluidity surrounding the probe, is also able to use

26 the positive buoyancy of water to float while immersed in the sands thus maintaining the lower end of the probe assembly against the working face. In addition, the probe assembly can use steam, hot water, gas, solvents, chemicals or other solutions to increase the boring capabilities and to increase the separation of the oil, bitumen or the like from the sand grains. The vibrating probe assembly creates an open channel in the oil sand in the proximity of the probe to allow the minerals, bitumen or oil, to flow freely from the sand bed back to the well bore hole and thence to the surface and the vibration which not only causes the washing and scrubbing action, also assists in the re-packing of the clean sand in situ.
Although the description and the drawings refer to the device for use in oil sands, mineral formations and the like, it should be noted that the vibrating probe device can be used in other environments such as manufacturing maintenance etc.
As an example, it could be used for cleaning sludge or the like from pipes, channels etc. such as encountered in sewer or effluent treatment facilities.

As described herein, the directional probes will rotate this unit and keep the sand in a fluid state. It will enter the sand bed and go down into the sand to thoroughly scrub the oil from the sand. This system can raise and lower the vibrating directional probes or even standard vibrating probes and become a giant washing machine with the ability to operate up and down and to the side until the sand is thoroughly washed and the oil is released. The vibration replaces the sand after releasing the oil. Much of the bentonite clays are left in the voids created when the oil is removed making the need for settling ponds unnecessary. The structure can use either the mechanical probes or the hydraulic operated probes, or just the standard probes.

27 This unit can have a multiple of probes suspended from the positioning plate or a spoked arrangement in any configuration or position, on the positioning apparatus to get the maximum oil production, or any other production this set may be used for. The mechanical probe will be powered by a commutator installed below the swivel.
A swivel for the steam or hydraulic oil hoses which will allow the unit to rotate is not shown because they are available with many variations. This unit can have almost any diameter and can be determined by the user's requirements. The sand remains in situ as the probe does its' work.

This method of removing the oil from the sand would allow smaller companies to compete with the larger companies without the large expenditures that the present operations require.
This system at depth could be slowly moved sideways and continue to remove oil from the sand as it goes into the unprocessed sand.
If the large diameter process is used the unit could just process the sand inside that diameter which would be determined by the user. 50 to 100 feet may be possible.
In operation the probes will fluidize the sand and vibrate down to the base of the sand layer assisted by steam. As they are vibrating all the way back to the surface, they keep the sand in a fluid state to the surface. The oil being lighter than the water formed by the steam or the water injected will be pushed up to the surface by the water where it can be collected. If the bitumen is heavier than the water, the specific gravity of the water can be raised by adding salt. As much of the water in petroleum areas is salty adding salt may not be necessary. The central tube to suck up the oil may not be needed for sucking the oil to the surface, but would still be

28 necessary to hold the probes in position at the depth. This system of the separation of the oil from the sands uses the natural buoyancy of the oil rising to the surface of the water layer to be recovered at the source or at the surface. Probes at a 100 foot or 200 foot plus in length can be possible. As the hot water is raised a cold water layer can be added to the bottom of the area being processed. It will raise the hot water layer with minimum mixing effect, because there is very little convection transfer of heat through sand.

The system can operate with "add on" mechanical probes, or with continuous hydraulic plastic or rubber probes. Swivels and seals for the steam, hydraulics and oil are standard and are not described here, but are required to make the unit function. The directional probes will keep the unit rotating and scrubbing. A
crane may be necessary to grasp the unit above the swivel to control the units' speed of insertion and recovery. A containment basin around the unit may be necessary to facilitate the oil collection process.

At the end of a long probe, add on an accumulator set at 500 lbs., or at a pressure that is necessary to give the continued vibration at depth, as a blank end cuts the vibration to 0. The accumulator allows the vibration to continue into the accumulator. It cushions the pressure as it enters the accumulator and gives it a return kick at the low end of the pressure cycle.

As further described with regard to some embodiments, the probe shall have a tail section to give it more stability, and when shaped as in Figs. 5 or 6 to increase the speed of travel as required in various sand mixtures, and aggregates.
The tail addition to the probe can be any change in the shape that is necessary to improve its' performance of the probes ability to do its' intended function.
The tail can be set to make the probe to go up or down when operating in a horizontal position.

29 The tail section can be made to go to the right or to the left when operating in a vertical position. The probes tail section can be set to make it go in a straight line when it is in a vertical position. The tail section gives the final packing to the sand after the oil has been removed. The tail section can be adjusted to prevent the Helicopter effect where the motion of the rotating weights in the probe have a tendency to turn the probe from its' intended direction. The probe has a drying effect on the sand in that the tail packs the sand so densely behind it that it forces some of the water and oil out of the sand to collect on the surface of the mix. The probes tail drying effect could serve to remove water from the slurry and speed up the drying process required by present regulations. The tail section could be part of the extrusion of the probe, or the probe could have metal plates set in the extrusion that would be the base plate that different tail sections could be fastened to.
The heat required to separate the oil from the sands by fire flood etc, until the oil runs out of the sands would be greatly reduced by having the heat only applied to the sand being processed by the probe.

As further described above, the vibrating probes outer surface can be shaped to increase the surface area in contact with the sand or aggregate. Any clay that form lumps would be reduced to sand and clay by the vibration and the agitations effect of the surface of the shaped surface of the probe.
When a long probe is used in a horizontal position some protrusions can have a tendency to make the sand pouring over it to keep the probe fully extended.

In other embodiments, the probe should accept tungsten studs like the ones used in the automobile tires if required to break down the packed sand ahead of the probe. The vibrating probe could be made of rubber or plastic, and could accept studs.

Also as noted above, as hoses expand in cross section as well as in length under pressure, the hydraulic hose in the probe can expand, or contract sufficiently to vibrate the probe when under the influence of a reciprocating pump.
Two hoses would be required in the probe - one for the steam, and one for the 5 vibrator hose. The probe itself would be made of rubber or tough plastic.
The steam hose will be under a constant pressure, and abut the hydraulic hose, and distorts the hydraulic hose as the hydraulic pressure falls due to the cycle of the reciprocating pump, which in turn returns to the round nature as the pressure easily overcomes the steam pressure. This action sets up the required vibration of the probe.

10 Also as described in other embodiments, a large diameter oil sand extraction unit having two or more probes can radiate around a central casing creating a cone shaped entry into the sand. These probes through the vibration rotate and bore into the sand along with steam or solvents and extract the oil from the sands.
The oil runs down the undisturbed cone shaped sand face to the casing where it is 15 sucked up or pumped to the surface. When the bottom of the sand bed is reached the unit continues to vibrate as the unit is slowly winched back to the surface. This is possible as the vibration of the probe keeps the sand in a fluid state around the probe.

Typically two hoses would be required in the long horizontal probe, one for the hydraulic vibrating hose and one for the steam hose. The hose 'probe' would 20 be made of rubber or a long wearing plastic. The steam hose would be under a constant pressure maintained by a relief valve, and would abut and distort the hydraulic hose along it's length as the hydraulic hose loses its' pressure due to the action of the reciprocating pump. The hydraulic pressure returns to the hose, which becomes round again and easily overcomes the pressure of the steam hose. This 25 action sets up the required action, or vibration of the probe.

The probes are operated at a high frequency, but still in the intra sonic range. At these frequencies they are very energetic, and impart that energy to the particles that the probe fluidizes.

Also as described above, the unit as shown in Figure 11 will have two or more probes fastened to arms which in turn are pinned to a sliding coupling, which when moved up or down on the central casing and can change the angle of the probes entry into the oil sands. This adjustment feature can be used to operate at the most productive angle for the oil sands it may be working in. The large casing takes the steam down to the probe when it enters the liquefied area on both the top and bottom faces of the probes where the oil sands are being scrubbed by the vibration.
The oil is then released and runs down the undisturbed cone created by the angled probes, and is sucked or pumped up the central pipe D.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An apparatus for the separation of oil and the like from oil sands comprising:

a probe member which is elongated in a longitudinal direction, the probe member including a front surface portion which is substantially semi-circular about a longitudinal axis of the probe member and a tapered rear surface portion which is gradually reduced in thickness in a rearward direction from the front surface portion towards a rear apex opposite the front surface portion;

a probe support assembly which is arranged to suspend the probe member within the oil sands and to control the direction of the probe member;

a vibrating mechanism arranged to vibrate the probe member;
the probe member being supported by the probe support assembly so as to be arranged to move through the oil sand in a forward direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the probe member when vibrated by the vibrating mechanism;

the rear surface portion of the probe member having a greater surface area than the front surface portion such the that front surface portion presents less frictional resistance to the oil sand than the rear surface portion;

an injector conduit supported by the probe support assembly and arranged to convey an oil-from-sand separating fluid to the probe member and to discharge the oii-from-sand separating fluid into oil sands adjacent to the probe; and a plurality of spaced apart protrusions on at least the front surface portion of the probe member so as to protrude generally radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the probe member.

2. The apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the protrusions comprise elongated ribs formed on the rear surface portion so as to extend generally in the rearward direction.

3. The apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein the elongated ribs extend from the front surface portion towards the apex at an inclination to the rearward direction.

4. The apparatus according to Claim 3 wherein the probe member is supported at one end on the probe support assembly such that the probe member extends outward from the probe support assembly in the longitudinal direction towards the opposing end, wherein the elongated ribs are oriented to decrease in distance from the probe support assembly in the rearward direction from the front surface portion to the rear apex.

5. The apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the protrusions comprise elongated ribs formed on the front surface portion so as to extend generally in the longitudinal direction of the probe member.

6. The apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein at least some of the elongated ribs are ramped in profile so as to increase in thickness protruding outward from the surface portion in the rearward direction.

7. The apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein at least some of the elongated ribs have a substantially constant thickness between opposed longitudinally extending edges.

8. The apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the protrusions are formed on at least the front surface portion so as to be spaced apart from one another in a first direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction and spaced apart from one another in a second direction oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction.

9. The apparatus according to Claim 8 wherein each protrusion extends outward from the surface portion of the probe to a respective pointed apex.

10. The apparatus according to Claim 8 wherein each protrusion is formed of metal and has a greater hardness than the surface portion of the probe member upon which the protrusion is supported.

11. The apparatus according to Claim 1 further comprising a tail portion extending generally rearwardly from the rear apex and having a substantially constant thickness.

12. The apparatus according to Claim 11 wherein the tail section is rigid and is arranged to be substantially fixed in orientation relative to the surface portions of the probe member.

13. The apparatus according to Claim 11 wherein the probe member includes a longitudinally extending mounting flange at the rear apex and the tail section is arranged to be selectively mounted on the mounting flange.

14. The apparatus according to Claim 11 wherein the tail section is oriented transversely to the rearward direction.

15. The apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the probe support assembly supports a plurality of probe members of like configuration thereon such that the probe members are circumferentially spaced about the probe support assembly and such that each probe member extends upwardly at a radially outward inclination from a bottom end of the probe support assembly in a working position.

16. The apparatus according to Claim 15 wherein each probe member is pivotal relative to the probe support assembly between the working position and a deploying position oriented parallel to and alongside the probe support assembly.

17. The apparatus according to Claim 15 wherein the injector conduit is supported on the probe support so as to be centrally located relative to the probe members.

18. The apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the probe support assembly supports a plurality of probe members of like configuration thereon such that the probe members are substantially parallel to one another and such that the probe members are spaced apart from one another in a circumferential direction about a substantially vertical axis of the probe support assembly.

19. The apparatus according to Claim 18 wherein the injector conduit is supported on the probe support so as to be centrally located relative to the probe members.

20. The apparatus according to Claim 18 wherein the probe members are interconnected by link members extending generally in the circumferential direction between adjacent ones of the probe members at longitudinally spaced positions between opposing ends of the probe members.

21. The apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the vibrating mechanism comprises first and second longitudinally extending conduits, the first conduit being in communication with a source arranged to be maintained at a constant pressure and the second conduit being in communication with a source arranged to be cyclically varied between an upper pressure and a lower pressure, the first and second conduits being separated by a common resilient divider wall extending longitudinally along a full length of the probe member such that the divider wall reciprocates with the cyclical pressure variation in the second conduit.

22. The apparatus according to Claim 21 wherein the probe member is supported at one end on the probe support assembly such that the probe member extends outward from the probe support assembly in the longitudinal direction towards the opposing end, and wherein the protrusions comprise elongated ribs formed on the rear surface portion so as to extend from the front surface portion towards the apex at an inclination to the rearward direction such that the elongated ribs are oriented to decrease in distance from the probe support assembly in the rearward direction from the front surface portion to the rear apex.

23. An apparatus for the separation of oil and the like from oil sands comprising:
a probe member which is elongated in a longitudinal direction, the probe member including a front surface portion which is substantially semi-circular about a longitudinal axis of the probe member and a tapered rear surface portion which is gradually reduced in thickness in a rearward direction from the front surface portion towards a rear apex opposite the front surface portion;
a probe support assembly which is arranged to suspend the probe member within the oil sands and to control the direction of the probe member;

a vibrating mechanism arranged to vibrate the probe member;

the probe member being supported by the probe support assembly so as to be arranged to move through the oil sand in a forward direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the probe member when vibrated by the vibrating mechanism;

the rear surface portion of the probe member having a greater surface area than the front surface portion such the that front surface portion presents less frictional resistance to the oil sand than the rear surface portion;
an injector conduit supported by the probe support assembly and arranged to convey an oil-from-sand separating fluid to the probe member and to discharge the oil-from-sand separating fluid into oil sands adjacent to the probe; and a tail portion extending generally rearwardly from the rear apex and having a substantially constant thickness.

24. The apparatus according to Claim 23 wherein the tail section is rigid and is arranged to be substantially fixed in orientation relative to the surface portions of the probe member.

25. The apparatus according to Claim 23 wherein the probe member includes a longitudinally extending mounting flange at the rear apex and the tail section is arranged to be selectively mounted on the mounting flange.

26. The apparatus according to Claim 23 wherein the tail section is oriented transversely to the rearward direction.

27. An apparatus for the separation of oil and the like from oil sands comprising:
a plurality of probe members which are elongated in respective longitudinal directions, each probe member including a front surface portion which is substantially semi-circular about a longitudinal axis of the probe member and a tapered rear surface portion which is gradually reduced in thickness in a rearward direction from the front surface portion towards a rear apex opposite the front surface portion;

a vibrating mechanism arranged to vibrate the probe members;

the rear surface portion of each probe member having a greater surface area than the front surface portion such the that front surface portion presents less frictional resistance to the oil sand than the rear surface portion;
a probe support assembly which is arranged to suspend the probe members within the oil sands and to control the direction of the probe members;
the probe support assembly supporting the probe members thereon such that the probe members are circumferentially spaced about a central axis of the probe support assembly;

each probe member extends upwardly at a radially outward inclination from a bottom end of the probe support assembly in a working position;
and respective forward directions of the probe members are oriented in a circumferential direction about the probe support assembly such that the probe members are arranged to move through the oil sand in the circumferential direction about the central axis of the probe support assembly when vibrated by the vibrating mechanism; and an injector conduit supported by the probe support assembly and arranged to convey an oil-from-sand separating fluid to the probe member and to discharge the oil-from-sand separating fluid into oil sands adjacent to the probe.

28. The apparatus according to Claim 27 wherein each probe member is pivotal relative to the probe support assembly between the working position and a deploying position oriented parallel to and alongside the probe support assembly.

29. The apparatus according to Claim 27 wherein the injector conduit is supported on the probe support so as to be centrally located relative to the probe members.

30. An apparatus for the separation of oil and the like from oil sands comprising:
a plurality of probe members which are elongated in respective longitudinal directions, each probe member including a front surface portion which is substantially semi-circular about a longitudinal axis of the probe member and a tapered rear surface portion which is gradually reduced in thickness in a rearward direction from the front surface portion towards a rear apex opposite the front surface portion;

a vibrating mechanism arranged to vibrate the probe members;

the rear surface portion of each probe member having a greater surface area than the front surface portion such the that front surface portion presents less frictional resistance to the oil sand than the rear surface portion;

a probe support assembly which is arranged to suspend the probe members within the oil sands and to control the direction of the probe members;
the probe support assembly supporting the probe members thereon such that:

the probe members are circumferentially spaced about a substantially vertical central axis of the probe support assembly;

the probe members are substantially parallel to one another; and respective forward directions of the probe members are oriented in a circumferential direction about the probe support assembly such that the probe members are arranged to move through the oil sand in the circumferential direction about the central axis of the probe support assembly when vibrated by the vibrating mechanism; and an injector conduit supported by the probe support assembly and arranged to convey an oil-from-sand separating fluid to the probe member and to discharge the oil-from-sand separating fluid into oil sands adjacent to the probe.

31. The apparatus according to Claim 30 wherein the injector conduit and the production conduit are supported on the probe support so as to be centrally located relative to the probe members.

32. The apparatus according to Claim 30 wherein the probe members are interconnected by link members extending generally in the circumferential direction between adjacent ones of the probe members at longitudinally spaced positions between opposing ends of the probe members.

33. An apparatus for the separation of oil and the like from oil sands comprising:

a probe member which is elongated in a longitudinal direction, the probe member including a front surface portion which is substantially semi-circular about a longitudinal axis of the probe member and a tapered rear surface portion which is gradually reduced in thickness in a rearward direction from the front surface portion towards a rear apex opposite the front surface portion;
a probe support assembly which is arranged to suspend the probe member within the oil sands and to control the direction of the probe member;
a vibrating mechanism arranged to vibrate the probe member;
the probe member being supported by the probe support assembly so as to be arranged to move through the oil sand in a forward direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the probe member when vibrated by the vibrating mechanism;

the rear surface portion of the probe member having a greater surface area than the front surface portion such the that front surface portion presents less frictional resistance to the oil sand than the rear surface portion; and an injector conduit supported by the probe support assembly and arranged to convey an oil-from-sand separating fluid to the probe member and to discharge the oil-from-sand separating fluid into oil sands adjacent to the probe;

the vibrating mechanism comprising first and second longitudinally extending conduits, the first conduit being in communication with a source arranged to be maintained at a constant pressure and the second conduit being in communication with a source arranged to be cyclically varied between an upper pressure and a lower pressure, the first and second conduits being separated by a common resilient divider wall extending longitudinally along a full length of the probe member such that the divider wall reciprocates with the cyclical pressure variation in the second conduit.