SAGD
Cenovus is a leader in the development of SAGD. SAGD stands for steam-assisted gravity drainage, which is a relatively new process that many companies are using for commercial scale development in western Canada. It is a simple process in concept but complex in application: a well injects steam into the producing zone, creating a high-temperature steam chamber in the formation. The heat melts the thick bitumen which allows gravity to assist it to flow freely to the horizontal production well below.
Our first project at Foster Creek, Alberta was initiated in 1996 and began full commercial operation in the fall of 2001. Our second SAGD operation is located in Christina Lake, Alberta, and began in 2000.
A key measure of efficiency for operations using SAGD technology is the amount of steam needed to produce every barrel of oil, called steam to oil ratio. It's thanks to the quality of our assets and our team's dedication to improving operational performance that our SAGD projects have achieved a steam to oil ratio of approximately 2.5. This means we use approximately 2.5 barrels of water to produce one barrel of oil, and is among the lowest in the industry.
