Solvent-Aided SAGD Pilot Projects
From concept (left) to reality (right): Cenovus Christina Lake solvent-aided pilot project.
PROJEX has the expertise to design and build solvent-aided SAGD projects, something our clients have confirmed since 2003. PROJEX SAP work has ranged from evaluating various equipment configurations and process scenarios complete with total installed cost estimates through to providing full EPCM services on the projects.
Cenovus Christina Lake – Our Initial Project
On an early solvent-aided pilot project for Cenovus at Christina Lake, PROJEX provided full EPCM services for the design of the solvent injection and recovery facilities and the modifications required for utilities.
For the solvent storage and injection, PROJEX designed solvent storage bullets, injection pumping facilities, truck loading and offloading facilities for solvent delivery, and the additional infrastructure required to tie back into the SAGD plant.
The recovery facility design consisted of separation and gas compression facilities, a depropanizer package and associated interconnections.
After these facilities had been in operation for six months, PROJEX was invited to undertake an expansion project for Cenovus.
The end result was a successful demonstration project for Cenovus, achieving enhanced bitumen recovery and reducing the overall steam requirement.
This project demonstrated PROJEX’s ability to:
- Design and deliver the infrastructure for an innovative project
- Build working relationships that result in ongoing business partnerships.
Devon Energy Ltd. Jackfish Pilot Project
PROJEX completed a solvent-aided SAGD single well pilot project for Devon Energy at Jackfish in 2010. Devon’s goals were to gauge the incremental oil production rate and obtain an accurate material balance on the solvent use.
The project had an aggressive timeline, with just two months for completion of the front end design, proceeding directly into a five-month detailed design.
The solvent injection pilot consists of two separate facilities: a solvent injection/test separator and a process laboratory. To reduce construction costs, the lab and separator packages were designed and built off-site as skid mounted modules.
This project led Devon to commission a second, larger, solvent-aided SAGD pilot project on several well pairs at Jackfish 1.
PROJEX is progressing the conceptual design into DBM/EDS phases with partial detailed engineering tasks and early procurement activities, in order to support an accurate estimate. The project consists of three separate processing areas: a stand-alone extraction facility for solvent from an incoming diluent source, vapourizing that solvent for co-injection with steam supplied by the central processing facility, and recovery of the solvent.
Other Pilots
PROJEX has recently undertaken a solvent-cyclic project for Laricina Energy at Saleski.