[en] Progress on the Lloydminster Heavy Oil Interpretive Centre, sponsored by the Lloydminster Oilfield Technical Society and expected to open in late 1998, was discussed. Some $150,000 of the $750,000 budget is already in the bank, and another $150,000 is in the pipeline. The Centre will be added to an existing and well-established visitor's site. It is reported to contain a lively and imaginatively-designed exhibit package, and promises to become a combination of educational tool and tourist attraction for the town of Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, in the heart of heavy oil country

[en] This article presented details of a study of cold heavy oil production in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) which focused on the Lloydminster Heavy Oil Resource (LHOR) which consists of a total of approximately 35 Bbbl of original oil in place. In 1970, production of LHOR was 25,000 bbl/d. Slant drilling and better overall drilling technology enabled a climb in production that lasted until 1984, at which point the LHOR was producing nearly 120,000 bbl/d. By 1997, production had again tripled due to the use of progressing cavity pumps, 3-D seismic, and horizontal drilling. Production has remained consistent at 350,000 bbl/d, and only 6 per cent of the original oil in place has been recovered. Several technologies may play a role in extending the LHOR, including waterfloods enhanced with chemicals; chemical processes with solvents; and thermal processes using cyclic steam injection or steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD). A series of small upgraders placed strategically across the region to convert the heavy oil into fuel may help to boost production. Ivanhoe Energy has recently announced completion of a commercial demonstration project to upgrade a range of heavy oils to lighter crudes. The technology is suited to small-scale operations, and can be installed near the wellhead to eliminate the need for diluent. The heavy to light oil (HTL) technology may also attract the interest of SAGD operators and producers with assets in remote locations. The price differential between Canadian light crude and Lloydminster conventional heavy blends is approximately US$20 per barrel. A number of projects are now underway to alleviate the heavy oil bottleneck and drive down the price differential. Many oil and gas companies are increasing capacity at their refining plants to accommodate Canadian heavy crude, a move which has been driven by the projected increased production from the oilsands region in Alberta. In addition, interest in cold heavy oil extraction technology is increasing in other producing regions in the world. It was concluded that the suddenly expanded heavy oil market may aid in the development of technologies that will fully exploit the Lloydminster resources. 5 figs