Grant: Alliance Grants
University of Calgary
$329,000.00
Solvent/heat-assisted recovery processes (SHARP) for heavy oil and bitumen
FY 2019-20
Summary
The efficient utilization of energy to extract bitumen has been a challenge, which has recently pronounced as a result of low oil prices. SAGD has been practiced in Alberta since the late 90s. However, it is energy intensive and has negative environmental impacts which may not be economically sustainable in a low oil price environment. Reducing the steam required will reduce the volume of treated water and significantly reduce costs. In addition, the environmental impact of steam generation and water usage and treatment will be reduced. It appears that fluctuations in the price of oil have slowed the evolution of bitumen extraction. Recent low oil prices and more stringent regulations may serve as driving forces for the development of low cost, energy efficient, and environmentally friendly processes. Solvent/thermal processes are complex, and many aspects of these methods are not well understood. The utilization of solvents further reduces bitumen viscosity, is less energy intensive, reduces water usage and treatment, and can lead to less emissions. Also, solvent-aided processes have the potential to target oil sands that are less accessible by SAGD. However, there are several challenges that need to be addressed. The proposed research program allows us to conduct fundamental and applied research to address challenges that our industrial partners (seven major oilsands companies) are facing in field- and pilot-scale applications. The aim of the program is to help industry develop economically sustainable bitumen recovery technologies that are less energy intensive and more environmentally friendly. With the potential job creation, the commercialization of the proposed technology will bring a great deal of investment into the Province and benefit all of us both economically and environmentally. The most notable benefits are decrease in the energy consumption, water usage, and emissions, which are well-aligned with the Canada climate change mitigation strategy. The program will provide the opportunity to train strong team of researchers including 4 MSc, 7 PhD, and 8 undergraduate students, and 4 PDFs capable of undertaking a broad range of advanced research endeavors related to oilsands industry.
Program
Alliance Grants
Recipient
Location
Alberta, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
548431-2019
Name nom
Hassanzadeh, Hassan
Department département
Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
Organization id
11
Institution établissement
University of Calgary
Province en
Alberta
Province fr
Alberta
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2019
Competition year année de concours
2019
Award amount
329000
Program id
ALLRP
Program name en
Alliance Grants
Program name fr
Subventions Alliance
Group en
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS**
Group fr
PARTENARIATS DE RECHERCHE**
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
300
Area of application group en
Energy resources
Area of application group fr
Ressources d'énergie
Area of application en
Energy resources (including production, exploration, processing, distribution and use)
Area of application fr
Ressources d'énergie (production, exploration, traitement, distribution et utilisation de l'énergie)
Research subject code
1800
Research subject group en
Chemical engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie chimique
Research subject en
Chemical engineering
Research subject fr
Génie chimique
Installment
inst:1 - 2
Partie
1
Nb partie
2
Application title
Solvent/heat-assisted recovery processes (SHARP) for heavy oil and bitumen
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
The efficient utilization of energy to extract bitumen has been a challenge, which has recently pronounced as a result of low oil prices. SAGD has been practiced in Alberta since the late 90s. However, it is energy intensive and has negative environmental impacts which may not be economically sustainable in a low oil price environment. Reducing the steam required will reduce the volume of treated water and significantly reduce costs. In addition, the environmental impact of steam generation and water usage and treatment will be reduced. It appears that fluctuations in the price of oil have slowed the evolution of bitumen extraction. Recent low oil prices and more stringent regulations may serve as driving forces for the development of low cost, energy efficient, and environmentally friendly processes. Solvent/thermal processes are complex, and many aspects of these methods are not well understood. The utilization of solvents further reduces bitumen viscosity, is less energy intensive, reduces water usage and treatment, and can lead to less emissions. Also, solvent-aided processes have the potential to target oil sands that are less accessible by SAGD. However, there are several challenges that need to be addressed. The proposed research program allows us to conduct fundamental and applied research to address challenges that our industrial partners (seven major oilsands companies) are facing in field- and pilot-scale applications. The aim of the program is to help industry develop economically sustainable bitumen recovery technologies that are less energy intensive and more environmentally friendly. With the potential job creation, the commercialization of the proposed technology will bring a great deal of investment into the Province and benefit all of us both economically and environmentally. The most notable benefits are decrease in the energy consumption, water usage, and emissions, which are well-aligned with the Canada climate change mitigation strategy. The program will provide the opportunity to train strong team of researchers including 4 MSc, 7 PhD, and 8 undergraduate students, and 4 PDFs capable of undertaking a broad range of advanced research endeavors related to oilsands industry.
