In Situ Oil Sands Water Treatment & Re-Use Optimization 2014

Water conservation in Alberta's in situ oil sands industry has always been a topic of both great concern and innovation but the recent implementation of Directive 081, has now made it mission-critical. Consolidating various aspects of water management requirements for thermal in situ oil sands operations, the directive sets strict two key restrictions that are now driving operator water innovation plans; water disposal limits and detailed requirements for reporting injection facility water streams.

Many of the opportunities for improving water re-use and environmental impact have been instantly realized by industry operators, with many pioneering brand new water management approaches and re-use technologies. Case studies in the past 12 months include operators reaching 98% water reclamation for use as feedwater for conventional drum boilers and utilizing innovations in evaporator systems, cleaning procedures and chemical programs to ensure disposal streams are cost-effectively minimized. Additionally, applications in thermal recovery, solvent co-injection and air injection are expected to soon reduce water use on a commercial scale.

The mission of In Situ Oil Sands Water Treatment & Re-Use Optimization 2014 is to facilitate the sharing of operators' very latest water treatment and disposal plans to drive down the collective costs of meeting Directive 081. It will analyze upcoming and proven brackish and used-water treatment technologies and evaluate boiler technologies for optimal steam generation to reduce the percentage of water used and explain case studies showing how operators are cost-effectively sourcing and disposing of water within in situ oil sands production.