"Laboratory experiments are being conducted to study the potential of high pressure [(350-1000 psig) (2400-6900 kPa)] steam displacement as an oil recovery process for Utah tar sand. These one-dimensional displacement experiments are designed to identify the relationships between the recovery efficiency and the processing conditions for two grades of tar sand representing different reservoir properties. The processing variables are the steam flowrate and initial tar sand preheat temperature; the controlled reservoir properties are the saturated permeability, porosity, bulk density, and the initial oil saturation. Crushed samples of tar sand are uniformly and consistently packed to physical properties closely resembling reservoir conditions. This is accomplished using an automated pneumatic-hydraulic tube packing apparatus . Tar sand containing 7.7 or 11.4 wt.% bitumen is packed to permeability ranging from 70-1100 millidarcies (0.07-1.] um2) with oil saturations of 45-70% of pore volume (PV). The corresponding porosity ranges from 32-36% . Preheat temperatures from 215 -475°F (102 -246°c) are initially established before saturated steam is injected at flow rates of 4.5- 14.5 cc/min (0.6-1.92 Ibs/hr) with a controlled backpressure of 360- 390 psig (2500-2700 kPa). Results are presented from fifteen experiments, including the determination of various chemical and physical properties of the bitumen and the thermally produced oils. In addition, results and operating conditions related to the automated tube packing apparatus are discussed."