that of SAGD, although instead of saturation, vertical fractures, low porosity learning about SAGD, too, and the two
employing steam, the process involves and thermal conductivity. technologies are very different.
injecting a solvent like ethane, butane or “It’s a slower process than SAGD, and it
propane into the reservoir. The solvent is At Dover, there are two horizontal well works on different technical principles
carried by a displacement gas to mobilize pairs where VAPEX is being tested. In that we don’t understand so well.”
the viscous bitumen and allow for each pair, a production well sits near the
production. bottom of the reservoir and an injection
well sits near the top.
The UTF isn’t the only place where VAPEX
is being actively piloted. Nexen is
“This offers the cost advantage of not currently testing the process at two of its
having to install steam generation “It’s very similar to SAGD in how it is fields in Saskatchewan. The Winter and
facilities or purchase natural gas to configured in the reservoir,” MacKenzie says. Plover fields offer high-quality reservoirs
produce steam. The VAPEX method but present a production challenge, says
requires no water processing or recycling, The first phase of DOVAP is expected to Tim Thomas, Nexen’s vice-president of
offers lower carbon dioxide emissions be completed in 2006, and Petro-Canada exploration and production for Canada.
and can be operated at reservoir says the results will determine the next
temperature with almost no heat loss,” steps. In the first phase, one well pair is “This is fabulous rock. It’s just a matter of
the National Energy Board (NEB) reports. being used to determine the efficiency of getting the oil that is trapped moving,”
“The capital costs are estimated to be 75 propane injection from a cold start, while he explains, adding that deciding which
per cent of SAGD costs, while the in the other well pair, the reservoir was sites to use for the VAPEX pilot took
operating costs are estimated to be 50 preheated with steam. Both are now in careful consideration. “There was a lot of
per cent compared to SAGD. Another full VAPEX mode. MacKenzie explains that screening done to identify the best
advantage is the possibility of reduced it took time to fine-tune the facility to candidates and the approach for those
diluent requirement [for transportation], ensure accurate results. candidates. There is a huge amount of
as some of the solvent diffuses into the data-gathering.”
bitumen to mobilize it.” “It’s very important that the monitoring and
measurement systems are set up properly.” Thomas says solvents have been used to
recover heavy oil before, but the idea
behind the process was different.
Previous attempts used the solvent to
flood the reservoir, pushing the mobilized
heavy oil to production wells, whereas
The NEB says VAPEX also offers an
alternative process to recover bitumen She says there is much to be learned
from reservoirs that are not amenable to about the field application of VAPEX,
thermal processes, such as reservoirs with which has been extensively tested in a
bottom water and/or high water laboratory setting. Industry is still
TIMBER SALVAGE
Danny Dion, Chief Walter and an Elder at the opening ceremony of
Access Pipeline’s 100km pipeline in Conklin. Bear Slashing, the
Chipewyan Prairie First Nation, Heart Lake First Nation and Metis
Group of Conklin worked together to achieve the successful
completion of this project.
& MULCHING
SERVICEES
MULCH! DON’T BURN!
Global warming threatens our future.
Salvage the good trees and mulch the
debris to reduce pollutants from
burning wood.
Mulching...
• No burning required
• Less impact on wildlife
• No soil erosion
Over 50 mulchers available:
125 to 600 hp
Logging equipment:
Feller-bunchers, Skidders &
Delimber
BONNYVILLE, AB (780) 826-8048
Danny’s Cell: (780) 812-5832
7402 - 50th Ave • Box 6158 • T9N 2G8
FORT McMURRAY, AB (780) 743-1936
Roy’s Cell: (780) 799-0393 • Box 5889 • T9H 4V9 www.bearslashing.com • bearsl1@telusplanet.net
