Wax in water emulsions prepared from Fischer-Tropsch derived waxes, Fischer-Tropsch process water, and two alkyl ethoxylated phenol nonionic surfactants having different hydrophilic-lipophilic balances provide high performance pipeline transport of waxes with reduced pipeline fouling.

A variety of methods for thermal recovery of natural gas and bitumen from a formation containing the latter. In general, the methods incorporate a series of existing, but previously uncombined technologies. A modified flue gas from the steam generators conventionally used in a SAGD recovery operation is injected into the formation to enhance recovery with the produced fluids, natural gas, bitumen, inter alia are further processed. The injection of the flue gas conveniently is disposed of and further acts to repressurize the formation which otherwise becomes depressurized when depleted of natural gas. Accordingly, environmental and economic advantages are realized with the methodology.

A method for enabling the use of heavy oil residuum by conversion to a useful product. The method, in one embodiment, involves the use of a heavy oil residuum which is substantially non flowable. The viscosity of the residuum is reduced by heat or a combination of heat and a diluent and subsequently mixed with water such that the mixing is high shear mixing. This results in the formation of an emulsion of predispersed residuum in an aqueous matrix. The emulsion is formed such that the aqueous matrix is in a size distribution suitable for use as a combustible fuel.