In Situ Recovery
SAGD, CSS, well pads, water/steam loops, solvent concepts and produced-fluid separation.
Surface mining vs in situ recovery
Shallow deposits can be mined while deeper bitumen is generally recovered in place using wells and thermal or other methods.
How SAGD works at a system level
Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage uses paired horizontal wells and steam to heat deep bitumen so it can flow toward a producing well.
Cyclic steam stimulation in oil sands recovery
Cyclic steam stimulation injects steam, allows heat to soak into the reservoir and then produces mobilized bitumen through the well system.
In situ well pads and gathering systems
In situ projects concentrate multiple wells on pads connected by pipelines, roads, power and central facilities.
The water and steam cycle in in situ oil sands
Thermal recovery depends on a loop that treats make-up and produced water, generates steam and recovers produced fluids.
Solvent-assisted in situ recovery concepts
Some technologies add hydrocarbon solvents to reduce viscosity, improve recovery or reduce steam requirements.
Produced-fluid separation in in situ operations
Produced fluids contain bitumen, condensed steam or formation water, gas and other material that must be separated.
Reclamation of in situ oil sands projects
In situ projects avoid open pits but still disturb land through well pads, roads, pipelines, borrow areas and central facilities.