The present invention is a system and method for steam production for
extraction of heavy bitumen. The method includes mixing fuel and
oxidizing gases, combusting the mixture, mixing combustion gas with water
containing solids and organics, separating solids, using heat from the
separated gas to produce distilled water, recycling the distillation
facility brine with the combustion gas and removing solids thereof,
generating steam from the distilled water and injecting the steam through
an injection well or using it above ground for oil recovery. The system
includes a combustion boiler, a direct contact steam generator, a
gas-solids separator, and a heat exchanger with a water treatment
facility like a distillation facility. The water feed of the present
invention can be water separated from produced oil and/or low quality
water salvaged from industrial plants, such as refineries and tailings as
make-up water.