Oil Sands Geology & Thermal Extraction Methods

Over 90% of Alberta's recoverable oil sands deposits are only recoverable in-situ (or in-place), with minimal land disturbance. The two most common methods of in-situ recovery are:
• CSS: Cyclic Steam Stimulation
• SAGD: Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage

CSS was first commercialized in the 1980s, and only works on tighter formations, like those found in Peace River and Cold Lake. SAGD came along in the late 1990s, and is used throughout the Athabasca region, which has a much more permeable geology.

To learn more about oil sands geology and the thermal extraction methods used in the oil sands, check out our latest course:
www.oilsandsmagazine.com/courses/oil-sands-geology-short-course

VIDEO TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 • OIL SANDS RESERVES
00:20 • THERMAL RECOVERY EXPLAINED
00:47 • STEAMFLOODING
01:10 • CSS: CYCLIC STEAM STIMULATION
01:52 • SAGD: STEAM-ASSISTED GRAVITY DRAINAGE
02:35 • IN-SITU PRODUCTION PROFILE
03:18 • COURSE INTRO
03:40 • OIL-BEARING FORMATIONS: CLEARWATER VS ATHABASCA
04:00 • FORMATION PROPERTIES
04:30 • COMMERCIAL IN-SITU FACILITIES
04:46 • COURSE OUTLINE

FURTHER READING:
Oil Sands 101: https://www.oilsandsmagazine.com/tech...
Oil Sands Geology: https://www.oilsandsmagazine.com/tech...
In-Situ Explained: https://www.oilsandsmagazine.com/tech...
Thermal In-situ Facilities List: https://www.oilsandsmagazine.com/proj...

FULL TECHNICAL LIBRARY:
https://www.oilsandsmagazine.com/tech...

OTHER COURSES:
Oil Sands 101: https://www.oilsandsmagazine.com/cour...
Mining the Oil Sands: https://www.oilsandsmagazine.com/cour...

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