New In Situ Recovery Techniques

OSLI has launched a number of initiatives that are exploring new in situ recovery techniques.

Some of these initiatives, such as the Solvent Involved Process Project, are looking at ways of enhancing current SAGD recovery techniques, which rely on the use of steam injection to mobilize bitumen. Other initiatives, such as the In Situ Combustion Project and the Electro Magnetic In Situ Project, are looking at recovery methods that would result in a step change from our current system.

The biggest challenge faced by project teams is the fact that many of these new processes need to be tested at full scale in actual reservoir conditions. This means large capital and operating costs as well as the need for an operating site to sponsor the test. OSLI allows companies to share costs to accelerate the development of this work but careful upfront work is needed before these projects can move forward.