Production data 2006-2010

Production volumes are net to Cenovus on a before royalties basis.

Production (Mbbls/d)

Christina Lake production data

2006 production volumes adjusted on a pro forma basis to reflect the 50 percent contribution to Foster Creek to the business venture with ConocoPhillips in 2007.

Christina Lake

Christina Lake

Christina Lake is located about 120 kilometres south of Fort McMurray, in northeast Alberta. The project began in 2000 and is growing in phases. With the addition of our phase C expansion, expected production capacity is 58,000 gross barrels per day. Construction of phase D, another 40,000 gross barrel per day expansion, is underway with production expected to begin in late 2012.

Christina Lake has also received regulatory approval for phases E, F and G which are expected to increase gross production capacity to 218,000 gross bbls/d when complete.


The oil at Christina Lake is located about 375 metres below the surface and requires enhanced oil recovery technology to access and produce it. The primary technology we use for this project is SAGD, which injects steam into the reservoir to soften the oil so it can be pumped to the surface. SAGD is energy efficient and requires minimal surface disturbance. The above-ground footprint of a well pad is less than 10 percent of the total resource area being accessed under ground. We monitor air emissions regularly and complete air quality testing every two to three months.

Christina Lake, along with Foster Creek, is one of the enhanced oil projects in our 50/50 business venture with ConocoPhillips.

Did you know?

We've reduced the average surface footprint of the wells at Christina Lake and Foster Creek by one-third since 2003.