Thermally unstable ammonium carboxylates for enhanced oil recovery

A process comprising:

• (a) injecting a steam composition into a subterranean location containing heavy hydrocarbons, the steam composition consisting of
• (i) steam
• and
• (ii) an ammonium carboxylate comprising an ammonium ion (i) and a carboxylate ion (ii) having the following chemical formula:
• wherein L represents a methylene group, an alkyl ether group, an aryl group, an aryloxy group, an alkyl aryl group, or an alkyl aryloxy group, any of said groups optionally substituted with alkyl groups, branched alkyl groups, or heteroatom containing groups,
• R1 is hydrogen or a linear or branched alkyl group having a primary chain length equal to or greater than 1 carbon and equal to or less than 15 carbons,
• and
• R2, R3, and R4 are independently a hydrogen, a linear alkyl group, or a branched alkyl group
• and
• (b) recovering the heavy hydrocarbon from the subterranean location to above the ground.