In Situ Recovery Technologies
Increasing reserves through technology
We can reduce the gap between what is currently recoverable and what can be recoverable through technology innovation. Current technologies such as mining, SAGD and cold production will soon make way for next generation technologies such as improved mining, hybrid SAGD and cyclic solvent extraction.
Recovery technologies ARC is working on:
Primary heavy-oil recovery processes
- CHOPS
- Reservoir screening
- Field scale simulation
- Remediation
- Transition to post CHOPS EOR processes
- Foamy oil
- Mechanistic experiments
- Mechanistic models
- Field scale simulation
- Sand production
- Mechanistic experiments
- Mechanistic models
- Field scale simulation
Solvent-based processes
Solvent-based processes offer higher recovery rates, and as no steam is used, the process uses less water and energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions significantly. We are involved in a number of different solvent technologies:
- Cyclic solvent injection
- VAPEX
We are also a major technology supporter to the Joint Implementation of Vapour Extraction (JIVE) research program in Lloydminister. This $9.6 million, 3-year project will provide the technical and economic foundation necessary for industry-wide acceptance and application of the technology.
ARC is providing expertise through physical and numerical simulations and laboratory studies that feed into the field pilot operations.
SAGD
As SAGD is being implemented in commercial applications, we are doing research that will improve the application of SAGD. Our work is focused in two areas:
- Expanding SAGD applicability
- How SAGD can be used in different types of reservoirs, such as shale
- Improving SAGD efficientcy and productivity
- Improving field operations
- Researching later stage SAGD operations, such as the effects adjacent well pairs have once the steam pools overlap
Hybrid steam-solvent processes
Hybrid steam-solvent processes offer improved oil recovery, reduced energy and water use, and less greenhouse gas emissions. Our activities focus on enhanced thermal processes, such as
- Expanding Solvent-SAGD (ES-SAGD)
- Low pressure SAGD-solvent
- Tapered Stream Solvent-SAGD (TSS-SAGD)
- Thermal solvent
In situ combustion
In situ combustion is a thermal recovery method that uses heat generated inside the reservoir to reduce viscosity and push oil towards the producing well. This eliminates the need for water to produce the oil.
We are working on in situ combustion in two areas:
- In the Lloydminister area, we are testing the technology as a follow-up to cold production in heavy oil reservoirs
- In the Athabasca area, we are testing the technology as a gravity stable process in bitumen reservoirs