[en] The oil sands and heavy oil technologies conference and exhibition was held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, from June 19th to June 21st, 2011. This conference, entitled Every Drop Counts and organized by Pennwell, gathered experts to discuss technologies for the production, processing and environmental remediation of heavy oil. The conference was attended by key players of the heavy oil industry, such as oil and gas operators, field supervisors, project managers, engineers and power plant designers, and provided them with the opportunity to learn about some of the latest technologies, hear about innovations which improve the environmental performance of petroleum operations and network with their peers and share their expertise. All 52 papers presented during this conference have been catalogued separately for inclusion in this database

[en] Imperial Oil Limited's Cold Lake oil sands resources, production and operations in Alberta are discussed. Cold Lake is the company's largest single asset and its largest source of crude oil production. In 1998, Cold Lake accounted for just under half of Imperial's total liquid production, averaging more than 135,000 barrels of bitumen a day. Despite the very difficult operating conditions experienced by the oil sands industry in 1998, Imperial Oil's Cold Lake operations generated a positive cash flow and earnings. Just as important, the near and long-term potential of Cold Lake property continues to be strong, even with the tough market conditions today and the foreseeable future. Proved reserves at the end of 1997 were 1.3 billions barrels, equal to about 24 years of current production, but even more important is Imperial's resource base in the Athabasca region, which represents 150 years of production at current rates. Although production forecasts for the near future are are revised downward because of production shut-in due to low prices, the company is confident of its long-term prospects mainly because of existing infrastructure, superior reservoir quality, 30 years worth of operating improvements and established bitumen-blend markets. Details of the company's future Cold Lake development plans are discussed. The need to continue technology development, which has been at the core of the industry's growth in the past and will continue to be the key to the future, are emphasized

[en] Husky Oil's Lloydminster Production Area upstream oil and gas production and pipeline facilities were evaluated in 1992, in order to build the key components of risk management into the interpretations of subsurface data collected from each site, and to prioritize the need for action. Risk components included identification of sources of contamination, the occurrence of ground water pathways and the proximity of potential receptors. In the Lloydminster area groundwater contamination is usually restricted to the uppermost four to five meters; groundwater flow velocities are low. Typical contaminants include formation water, refined and non-refined heavy oil and natural gas condensate. Ground water-associated risks affected by these contaminants were ranked at each site, using the CCME National Classification for Contaminated Sites, and appropriate strategies were formulated to remove the contaminant sources and intercepting migration pathways. As a result of the subsurface evaluation study different combinations of remedial action are currently operating at six sites. Groundwater monitoring is continuing at another 40 sites

[en] The author reviews the chances of heavy oil in a market which is characterized by price instability, strict cost management on the production side, and latent excess supply of conventional crude oils produced at low cost. (orig.)

[en] The Kenkiiak oil-field extraction deposits are 30.0 Mill.t. (balanced ones - 97 Mill.t.). The oil input increasing is reached by the stream pumping into oil-well. The operating difficulties are caused by the oil high viscosity, the intensive sand carrying out, the equipment in sufficiency, the construction organization weakness for field equipping. The Janajol oil and gas condensate field description is given. The intra bed pressure keeping carrying out by water pumping. The operation is complicated by the high content in oil of sulphuretted hydrogen, carbon dioxide, paraffin. It is necessary to create the complex scientific-research and planning and design institutions and to improve the training of oil processing personnel for extraction intensification efficient problem decision on waive fields

[en] This communication is focused on non conventional crude oil production projects involving development of the Alberta oil sands, heavy crude oil upgrading and the off shore frontier, and especially with the Canadian experience with the megaprojects already in place. Changes which have taken place in the fiscal regimes applicable to those projects are presented. A study of the economic impact of the Aslands project illustrates the magnitude of the effect of these types of project can have on the canadian economy. Fiscal regimes with respect to three new mega projects, development of the Hibernia off shore reserves, construction of a heavy oil and bitumen upgrader at Lloydminster and the Oslo integrated oil sands mining project, are discussed

[en] Suncor Energy's Millennium Project was confronted with many challenges of a regulatory nature while engaged in the approvals process. An outline is included of the key activities and strategies the company utilized to successfully meet the challenges while maintaining the desired project timeline. The project is expected to increase the production capacity of upgraded crude oil to the 220,000 barrel per day level to 2002 through the expansion of the Steepbank Mine and additional plant capacity. The scope of the project includes all activities necessary to plan, construct and operate a major facility expansion. These activities comprise: an expansion at the Steepbank Mine, Millennium Extraction plant, a second primary separation plant located in the east side of the Athabasca River to produce raw bitumen, raw bitumen pipeline to the existing Base Extraction Plant, modifications to the Base Extraction Plant to clean the raw bitumen and produce a diluted bitumen product. Also included in the expansion is a second upgrader train to produce a slate of upgraded crude oil products, addition of 360 megawatt co-generation plant supplying the required steam and power, and other related infrastructure to facilitate the increased production level (tankage, water treatment, support facilities). Suncor has worked diligently through the regulatory and environmental review process, and through innovation and hard work, plus a pro-active approach to consultation, Suncor was able to maintain its desired schedule, improve its project design and achieve full stakeholder support

[en] Compared to conventional crude oils, synthetic crude oil (SCO) has unique properties which make upgrading more difficult. This paper addressed some of the processing challenges facing conventional refiners in the United States (USA) when considering running bitumen derived feedstocks. These issues include a lack of heavy conversion capacity, insufficient metallurgy to process high acid crude oils, and difficulties meeting final product specifications. This paper focused on the difficulties in meeting key product properties while producing diesel, jet fuel, and fluid catalytic cracking feed from SCO and bitumen. It was emphasized that companies upgrading heavy oil must understand the impact of SCO properties on the ability to market feedstocks to conventional refineries in the USA which is a natural market for crude oils coming from Alberta's oil sands deposits. The key properties of refined distillates were outlined. It was concluded that bitumen offers solutions to crude oil supply issues but its high aromatics content and sulfur, nitrogen and metals content, make it a poor feedstock for many existing refineries in the USA. Although complex refineries with extensive hydroprocessing and coking/cracking facilities are better equipped to handle bitumen feedstock, market saturation is an issue. It was also concluded that pipeline expansion can open up additional markets, but bitumen products must be able to replace heavy crude feeds from other sources. 5 refs., 4 tabs., 6 figs

[en] Further development of oil sands resources in Canada using today's technology is stalled, and a new technological direction is needed. For example, cyclic steam stimulation technology has reached a level of maturity where significant gains in production or reductions in unit costs have already been realized. A similar level of maturity has been reached in dry mining and Clark hot-water extraction technology. Relying on oil price growth as a strategy for developing oil sands is not regarded as a serious option by the industry. Recommendations are made for cooperative research and development of oil sands technology, and especially for multi-million dollar technology pilots to be undertaken by industry/government joint ventures. A number of promising avenues of research are outlined in the areas of borehole mining, steam-assisted gravity drainage, and cold water extraction. 9 figs

[en] The enormous potential for wealth that is offered by Canada's oil sands deposits was discussed. Alberta's oil sands contain more recoverable oil than all the reserves of Saudi Arabia - but they have barely been developed. They are a natural resource of sufficient size, scale and competitive advantage to be of great benefit to the economy. The National Oil Sands Task Force has invested billions of dollars in the project and believes that the industry can triple production over the next 25 years. Benefits to Canadians will include an estimated 44,000 new jobs across the country, $97 billion increase in revenue for all levels of government, and $100 billion increase in consumer disposable incomes. In order to realize these socio-economic benefits, some important improvements were recommended to insure industry efficiency and growth. Some of the recommendations included increased investment in science and technology, as a key component of development. 1 tab., 4 figs