Water treatment process for thermal heavy oil recovery

A method of recovering energy from a heavy oil recovery facility where said heavy oil is contained in a reservoir, said energy for the treatment of water produced from heavy oil recovery, said method comprising, the steps of:

• a) providing a source of steam having a steam fraction and a liquid fraction;
• b) providing an oil-water separator and a water distillation apparatus ;
• c) injecting said reservoir with said steam fraction to recover said heavy oil;
• d) collecting heavy oil and water from said reservoir in said oil-water separator;
• e) separating said heavy oil and produced water from said separator;
• f) providing thermal energy contained in said liquid fraction to said water distillation apparatus;
• and
• g) treating said produced water with said water distillation apparatus.

A method of recovering energy for treating water used in heavy oil recovery in a reservoir containing heavy oil and water comprising in combination, the steps of:

• a) providing a water feed stream;
• b) treating said water feed stream to generate a steam fraction and a liquid fraction;
• c) providing a steam separator for separating said steam fraction and said liquid fraction;
• d) separating said steam fraction and said liquid fraction;
• e) providing an oil-water separator and a water distillation apparatus;
• f) injecting said reservoir with said steam fraction;
• g) depressurizing heavy oil, produced water and steam exiting from said reservoir;
• h) transferring energy contained in said steam by flashing to said water distillation apparatus;
• and
• i) separating in said oil-water separator said heavy oil and produced water.

A method of recovering energy for treating water used in heavy oil recovery in a reservoir containing heavy oil and water comprising in combination, the steps of:

• a) providing a water feed stream;
• b) treating said water feed stream to generate a steam fraction and a liquid fraction;
• c) providing a steam separator for separating said steam fraction and said liquid fraction;
• d) separating said steam fraction and said liquid fraction;
• e) providing an oil-water separator and a water distillation apparatus;
• f) injecting said reservoir with said steam fraction;
• g) recovering heat energy from said heavy oil and produced water exiting said reservoir with heat exchange means;
• h) separating said heavy oil and produced water;
• i) providing thermal energy from said heat exchange means to said water distillation apparatus
• j) providing thermal energy contained in said liquid fraction to said water distillation apparatus;
• and
• k) treating said produced water with said water distillation apparatus.