research
expected to be similar to the diluent used at Cold Lake, which is generally natural gas condensate. SA-SAGD is different from another technology Imperial has used at Cold Lake called LASER (which stands for liquid addition to steam for enhancing recovery), where a small amount of solvent is added to steam injected into CSS wells to boost bitumen recovery.
“I think you’ll see solvents as the next secondary scheme [for in situ recovery], the same way that you see waterflooding applied in conventional oil.” — Glen Schmidt, President and Chief Executive Officer, Laricina Energy, and Chairman, In Situ Oil Sands Alliance
Laricina Energy, which has been learning from the experience of EnCana and Imperial, also is convinced the use of solvents results in better overall economics—a higher recovery, reduced steam-to-oil ratio (SOR), lower capital and operating costs, and accelerated production. At the company’s Saleski bitumen carbonate pilot, the initial well pair will start with steam alone followed by solvent-cyclic HeavyOil_OilsandsGuidebook_Jan 2010:Layout 1
SAGD (SC-SAGD). At its Germain project, the company will use SC-SAGD, initially with condensate due to its ease of accessibility, progressing to lighter solvents such as butane and propane in the future. “I think you’ll see solvents as the next secondary scheme [for in situ recovery], the same way that you see waterflooding applied in conventional oil,” says Glen Schmidt, Laricina’s president and chief executive officer, and chairman of the recently formed In Situ Oil Sands Alliance. Meanwhile, Statoil Canada announced last fall it plans to test a steam-solvent co-injection (SOLVE) technology at its Leismer oilsands project. The process is designed to demonstrate a minimum 10 per cent savings on the SOR required for extraction, with a potential saving of as much as 25 per cent. Statoil is collaborating on the project with Regina-based Petroleum Technology Research Centre (PTRC). The SOLVE project will include—in addition to the field demonstration—a research program that will be integrated with the demo results to reach clear conclusions about specific factors influencing solvent loss, oil production, energy use, and water consumption. This is a unique approach to developing a new technology, bringing together a research consortium through the management of the PTRC. Research partners will include research councils and universities from both Saskatchewan and Alberta to help optimize the process for more widespread commercial use.
2/1/2010
12:57 PM
Page 1
DIFFERENT FACES, DIFFERENT PLACES, UNIVERSAL FIT! Advantage® 420 Half-Mask Respirator The breakthrough design of the Advantage 420 Respirator provides exceptional comfort and fit that users have been demanding. Rigorous testing ensures that it meets the newly proposed NIOSH fit test panel. Factor in the lowest cost of ownership and innovative features like drop-down or personal fit harness modes and you will agree that MSA’s Advantage 420 Respirator is the half-mask that has it all!
M U LT I G A S D E T E C TO R S
�
FALL PROTECTION www.msanet.com �
SCBA � HEAD/EYE/FACE PROTECTION 1.800.672.2222
�
H E AV Y O I L & O I L S A N D S G U I D E B O O K & D I R E C T O R Y V
13 7