Stories
At Cenovus, how we do our work is as important as what we do. We're excited to showcase our successes through our stories about technology development, improvements in the way we work and our involvement in the communities closest to where we operate.
Get a sense of how we embrace these values by reading some of our stories below or checking us out on our social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
Samantha Murphy: Providing fresh ideas for protecting freshwater
The “Us” in Cenovus
Samantha Murphy understands the challenges facing our environment and spends her days addressing some of these complex issues.
Karo Afiegbe: Capturing carbon and identifying innovation
The “Us” in Cenovus
Staff greenhouse gas (GHG) Tech Engineer, Karo Afiegbe, is using carbon capture technology to help shape the future of energy.
Cenovus Cares: Driving change and maximizing our impact – together
Our refined Employee Giving and Volunteering Program, Cenovus Cares is here to make an even bigger difference.
All eyes and ears on wildlife
We've been keeping a close eye on the wildlife at our northern oil sands operations. Watch the video and see more than 16 distinct animal species.
Innovation: The gateway to sustainable advancements
Our Innovation Gateway team is here to help change the future of the energy industry.
Trent Zacharias: Guiding Indigenous inclusion initiatives
The “Us” in Cenovus
Trent Zacharias, Director of Community and Indigenous Affairs at Cenovus Energy, has always been passionate about understanding the history and culture of Indigenous peoples.
Michael Cody: Leading change in forest management
The “Us” in Cenovus
Michael Cody’s commitment to biodiversity conservation stems from a passion for sustainability and supporting the well-being of future generations.
Leora Hornstein: Promoting holistic health and well-being
The “Us” in Cenovus
Leora Hornstein is focused on cultivating individual and organizational health and well-being at Cenovus Energy.
Homegrown talent: Teaming up with The Ohio State University
The Cenovus Lima Refinery is helping fuel the future through the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology scholarship program.
Recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
At Cenovus, we observe September 30 as an important day to advance reconciliation efforts and show support for our Indigenous friends, colleagues and neighbours.
Eye injuries can happen anywhere – but they don’t have to
For more than 15 years, we’ve partnered with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind in Newfoundland and Labrador in funding and developing their Industrial Eye Safety Program.
We’re building better roads through research and technology
Our Asphalt operations are building better roads using polymer-modified asphalt.
How Husky Retail stations are #KeepingCommunitiesMoving
Our Husky retail stations are supporting the communities where live and work, and raising funds for children’s charities.
Superior Refinery Classic Car Show revs up donations to support Cruise for Cancer
The Cenovus Superior Refinery hosted its first ever Classic Car Show this summer and raised funds for Cruise for Cancer.
Carbon capture technology shows potential for commercial application
We’ve partnered with Svante, a Vancouver-based clean-tech start up to test CO2 capture technology at our Pikes Peak South thermal project.
Industry trailblazer turned industry leader
Celebrating 20 years of commercial operations at Foster Creek oil sands.
Team of Tucker volunteers plant joy at local hospital
For more than 13 years, staff from our Tucker oil sands operations have volunteered with the local Health Centre’s Long-Term Care Facility.
How solvent co-injection can lower our emissions
We’ve been piloting solvent co-injection technologies that have the potential to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of our oil sands operations.
Making progress through our Indigenous Housing Initiative
A mid-year update on home construction and training program.
Honouring National Indigenous Peoples Day
In honor of the 25th anniversary of National Indigenous Peoples Day, Cenovus staff share what the day means to them.
Optimizing the potential of advanced process controls
Cenovus-developed automation systems increase production and improve environmental performance.
Finding heads for our extra beds: Mattress donations make it as far as Yellowknife, NWT
Since 2018, Cenovus has partnered with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the North of 60 program to donate mattresses and bed products to communities in need.
New Process Operator training class kicks off at the Lima Refinery
At our Lima Refinery, process operator trainees, represented by United Steelworkers Local 624, undertake an eight-week training program focused on the basic building blocks of refinery process operations.
We're making significant progress on our Caribou Habitat Restoration Project
Our Caribou Habitat Restoration Project is helping to reduce fragmentation in the Cold Lake caribou herd’s habitat, where our Foster Creek and Christina Lake oil sands projects are located.
Supporting environmental education and sustainability through our partnership with the Nature Conservancy
For eight years, we have partnered with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, a non-profit organization that works to tackle projects to make a difference in biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Supporting Indigenous vendors through our Clearwater Abandonment Program
Cenovus partners with Indigenous vendors to safely abandon and reclaim 58 wells in the Clearwater area.
No sunlight? No problem: How methanol fuel cells can help us reduce our emissions
We’re piloting methanol fuel cells to supplement solar power and reduce emissions at our conventional oil and gas operations.
Industry and federal funding paves the way for asphalt research
We have partnered with the University of Calgary to further asphalt research, helping improve paving applications, build better roads and optimize our environmental engineering.
Cenovus marks year one of its Indigenous Housing Initiative
Throughout 2020, we worked with communities on their housing plans and began construction on houses for three communities.
Innovation: Advancing technology in Canadian oil and gas
To accelerate the development of technologies to help reduce our impacts on air, land and water resources, Cenovus collaborates with industry peers through several organizations.
Inside Education: Finding new ways for natural resource learning
For more than 10 years, Cenovus has partnered with Inside Education to deliver natural resource learning to youth across Alberta.
Rebuild continues at the Superior Refinery
The new year brought new milestones for the rebuild of the Superior Refinery in Superior, Wisconsin.
Research gives insight into restoration techniques
Since 2017, Cenovus has been collaborating with NAIT to measure how carbon exchange is influenced by various land restoration techniques
Thousands of fish released to support Environmental Stewardship Program
In 2020, more than 300,000 fish were released into a nature reserve in Shenzhen, China and have started their journey to the open sea.
A decade of mutual benefits: Celebrating our long-term agreement with Conklin
On December 17, we celebrate the 10-year anniversary of our long-term agreement with the Métis community of Conklin near our Christina Lake oil sands project.
Peak power: Predicting the future through analytics
Predicting peak power demand on the electrical grid is not easy to do! In fact, it takes a great team of diverse experts to get it right.
Teaming up with Portage College on Indigenous training
We’ve teamed up with Portage College to launch a training program in support of our Indigenous Housing Initiative.
The Cenovus Alt-FEMP program takes flight
Earlier this year, Cenovus conducted aerial methane detection surveys across our conventional operations as part of our Alt-FEMP Program.
Up for any challenge: Fuel student Yuekai Wang
Working on a degree in Software Engineering, Yuekai Wang wanted to gain work experience as a Cenovus Fuel student.
Shovels in the ground for some of our Indigenous neighbours in N.E. Alberta
All six communities involved in our Indigenous housing initiative have made progress toward their goal of getting new houses built.
Chard and Conklin Métis communities secure much-needed land to build houses
This summer, the communities of Chard and Conklin secured parcels of land so they can build new homes as part of our Indigenous housing initiative.
Fishing for solutions: We’re restoring habitat for trout and grayling in the Rocky Mountains
We’re improving structures like culverts to enable fish to swim more easily to previously isolated habitat.
SAIT and Cenovus – a decade long partnership
Cenovus and SAIT have been partners for the better part of a decade and are dedicated to supporting students and developing skills.
Kristen Foxcroft: Passionate about reclamation and remediation
The “Us” in Cenovus
Kristen Foxcroft recognized from an early age she wanted to dedicate her career to the environment.
Sean Prosser: A varied career in the oil sands
The “Us” in Cenovus
Sean Prosser is constantly amazed and energized by the varied aspects of his role at our Christina Lake operations.
The In the Lead Program turns 10 this year!
Over the past decade, Cenovus has been a proud partner of the In the Lead program, helping over 800 vulnerable youth realize their strengths and potential.
Project Inclusion: an industry first in linking inclusion to improved performance and engagement
Can small acts of inclusion improve employee performance and engagement – and more importantly an overall sense of belonging and connection at work?
Indigenous students reflect on 2019-2020 scholarships
We work with Indspire to offer scholarships for Indigenous students who are pursuing a full-time degree, diploma or certified trade program.
Make it Better initiative is growing our safety culture at our oil sands operations
Make it better is making a big difference when it comes to growing our safety culture at our Foster Creek and Christina Lake oil sands operations.
Encouraging students to read a good book this summer
Getting kids to spend time reading during the summer is not easy - even during “normal times”. Some of our partners had to be particularly creative to engage students in the face of an ongoing pandemic.
From Ontario to Alberta: Fuel student Amelia Knapp
Originally from Alberta but studying in Ontario, Amelia Knapp was looking to broaden her horizons and gain some oil and gas experience. Learn about her time as a Fuel student.
Restoration 3.0
We led a study to examine disturbed habitat in five caribou ranges near oil sands operations and find the best areas for restoration.
We’ve been recognized with Canada’s Volunteer Award!
Cenovus has been recognized by the Federal Government with Canada’s Volunteer Award in the category of Business Leader in the prairie region.
Racing cars using machine learning
Our partnership with Amazon Web Services is changing how we use big data in the workplace. And what better way to test a new technology than to create a company-wide game?
Learning from teams across the organization: Fuel student Brooklyn Stevenson
A fourth year business student at Mount Royal University, Brooklyn Stevenson is currently part of our Fuel student and new graduate program.
Putting learning into practice: Fuel student Tanner Barnes
In June, Tanner Barnes began his work placement as part of the Cenovus Fuel student and new graduate program. Learn more about his experience.
Visiting the oil sands made easy through virtual tours
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a virtual reality experience is an entire dictionary!
Cenovus ships oil to Irving Oil’s East Coast refinery… via West Coast pipeline
Cenovus’s first-ever shipment to Irving Oil is travelling almost 12,000 kms from the West Coast, through the Panama Canal and up to Irving’s Refinery in New Brunswick.
Fire prevention is a focus at our northern Alberta operations
The planning and prevention of wildfires are how we keep our staff and operations safe.
Defying COVID-19: Baby trees find new homes in Bonnyville yards and parks
Cenovus staff worked to find new homes for little trees when one of our tree planting projects was canceled because of COVID-19.
Sourcing hand sanitizer… through analytics? A supply chain and data success story
Our Corporate Data Office tackled supply chain challenges during COVID-19 by building customized data solutions to visualize the global supply chain system.
Celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day
Andrea Louise-Martyn, from our Community & Indigenous Affairs team, explains what National Indigenous Peoples Day means to her and how to celebrate virtually this year.
Upgrading instruments at our sites takes a big bite out of methane emissions
At our conventional oil and natural gas assets, we’re working hard to reduce our methane emissions.
Kickstarting young professionals’ careers through our work placement program
Through the Fuel Program, Cenovus aims to accelerate the development of students and young professionals and help build future leaders.
Regional Oil Sands Operating Alliance encourages collaboration during pandemic
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, collaboration within the oil sands industry has been more important than ever.
Our Community Partners: innovative thinking to continue programs during COVID-19
See how some of our community partners have pivoted their programming to continue serving communities during COVID-19.
Youth across Canada tackle science challenges during online STEM Fair
Youth across Canada will showcase their ideas and discoveries through the Youth Science Canada online STEM Fair May 20-29, 2020.
Amphibious vehicles are making game-changing strides to restore land
Amphibious vehicles can both drive on land and float on water, an innovation that is a game-changer for the oil sands.
Celebrating 10 Years of Volunteering at Cenovus
Cenovus staff have been giving their time in our Volunteer Program for 10 years!
Field employee organizes food drop to help people in her community
Colleen is delivering goods and supplies to people in Fort McMurray.
Homemade hand sanitizer & other ways our field staff are staying safe during COVID-19
Making hand sanitizer for use at site is just one of the ways we're keeping staff at our field operations safe.
Our response to COVID-19 at our oil sands field operations
We have proactive measures in places to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in any of our work places.
We're taking a big step towards eliminating single-use plastics at our camps
We are significantly reducing the amount of single-use plastics used at our Christina Lake and Foster Creek oil sands camps.
Teachers go back to school - studying Alberta's boreal region
Partnering with Inside Education, teachers from across Alberta travelled over 1,000 kilometres to hear from scientists, the oil and gas industry, and Indigenous groups.
Open letter to Canadians
Canada’s energy sector leaders sign letter urging Canadians to support energy policy that enables this country to thrive while developing climate change solutions that will benefit the world.
Forest restoration made easy through virtual tours, videos and fact sheets
A COSIA project led by Cenovus Energy brought together by forest restoration experts from oil sands companies and Natural Resources Canada.
Primco Dene: A model for First Nations business development in Canada
On National Indigenous Peoples Day, we honoured one of our longest-standing Indigenous service companies.
Indigenous youth chosen for scholarships become role models for their communities
Working with Indspire, Cenovus provides scholarships for Indigenous students in western Canada.
Tech, innovation and creativity abound in the new Cenovus Classroom
Teachers and students from across the city will have access to unique learning resources at the Cenovus Classroom, located at Calgary’s Central Library.
Quenching our thirst for data
We’re using a mobile app to help track water use at our oil sands operations.
Cenovus is recycling wastewater from its oil sands camps
We're recycling camp wastewater at our oil sands operations in northern Alberta...
Aboriginal businesses find success in oil sands
Vern is Chief of the Chipewyan Prairie First Nation, He says the willingness of companies like Cenovus to provide opportunities...
Being bear aware helps keep people and bears safe
We're concentrated on employee safety and wildlife protection at our oil sands operations in northern Alberta...
Cenovus Aboriginal scholarship recipients pursue range of studies
Aboriginal students find the financial load lighter this year after receiving help through the Cenovus Aboriginal Scholarship program.
Reclaiming the land where we work
Read our story to learn more about the reclamation process of one of our borrow pits at Christina Lake...
Emergency exercise tests Cenovus's readiness
A cyber attack, natural gas leak and site evacuation – all happening at once...
Zero-Base Design (ZBD)
ZBD is transforming our well pads by significantly reducing our overall equipment and eliminating the buildings that cover the well pair modules.
New well pad design demonstrates cost leadership
When our oil sands production teams were challenged to come up with reducing costs some out-of-the-box thinking produced a sleeker well pad design...
Cenovus rides seismic wave
Learn how vibrating technology helps improve data collection at our northern Alberta sites.
Cenovus reaches new SAGD drilling measured depth record
This year, we drilled four wells, or two well pairs that set a new steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) drilling measured depth record - more than 300 metres ...