Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the main reason why bitumen needs to be heated before it can flow?
What is the main reason why bitumen needs to be heated before it can flow?
Why are steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) and cyclic steam stimulation (CSS) used for heavy crude bitumen extraction?
Why are steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) and cyclic steam stimulation (CSS) used for heavy crude bitumen extraction?
What type of professionals are primarily responsible for operating the steam boilers and water treatment facilities in SAGD and CSS processes?
What type of professionals are primarily responsible for operating the steam boilers and water treatment facilities in SAGD and CSS processes?
Why was steam injection chosen as a method for heavy oil recovery from oil sands back in the 1950s?
Why was steam injection chosen as a method for heavy oil recovery from oil sands back in the 1950s?
Signup and view all the answers
In what geological formations is bitumen typically found mixed with sand?
In what geological formations is bitumen typically found mixed with sand?
Signup and view all the answers
Why has in situ oil recovery become more common compared to traditional surface mining for bituminous sands?
Why has in situ oil recovery become more common compared to traditional surface mining for bituminous sands?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary purpose of lime softeners in SAGD and CSS facilities?
What is the primary purpose of lime softeners in SAGD and CSS facilities?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the steam to oil ratio (SOR) measure in SAGD and CSS facilities?
What does the steam to oil ratio (SOR) measure in SAGD and CSS facilities?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is brackish water increasingly used in SAGD and CSS facilities for makeup water?
Why is brackish water increasingly used in SAGD and CSS facilities for makeup water?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens if the steam to oil ratio (SOR) in a SAGD or CSS facility becomes too high?
What happens if the steam to oil ratio (SOR) in a SAGD or CSS facility becomes too high?
Signup and view all the answers
Why do SAGD and CSS facilities need to monitor environmental emissions closely?
Why do SAGD and CSS facilities need to monitor environmental emissions closely?
Signup and view all the answers
How do governmental regulatory bodies typically react to non-compliance with environmental restrictions by SAGD facilities?
How do governmental regulatory bodies typically react to non-compliance with environmental restrictions by SAGD facilities?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main reason OTSGs are chosen over drum-type boilers in SAGD plants?
What is the main reason OTSGs are chosen over drum-type boilers in SAGD plants?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of separators in the steam lines of OTSGs in SAGD plants?
What is the purpose of separators in the steam lines of OTSGs in SAGD plants?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main function of injection wells in the SAGD process?
What is the main function of injection wells in the SAGD process?
Signup and view all the answers
How does SAGD differ from CSS in terms of recovery process?
How does SAGD differ from CSS in terms of recovery process?
Signup and view all the answers
What differentiates the soaking stage of CSS from the injection stage?
What differentiates the soaking stage of CSS from the injection stage?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is CSS not suitable for shallow reservoirs?
Why is CSS not suitable for shallow reservoirs?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of separating bitumen, water, and sand at the plant site?
What is the significance of separating bitumen, water, and sand at the plant site?
Signup and view all the answers
What role do producer wells play in the SAGD process?
What role do producer wells play in the SAGD process?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of the knockout vessel in the emulsion separation process?
What is the purpose of the knockout vessel in the emulsion separation process?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is dilution necessary for the bitumen after leaving the knockout vessel?
Why is dilution necessary for the bitumen after leaving the knockout vessel?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the final water content in the sales dilbit product?
What is the final water content in the sales dilbit product?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of induced gas flotation (IGF) in the water de-oiling process?
What is the purpose of induced gas flotation (IGF) in the water de-oiling process?
Signup and view all the answers
How are oil removal filters (ORFs) in the de-oiling process filled?
How are oil removal filters (ORFs) in the de-oiling process filled?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of using a hot lime or warm lime precipitation softener in water treatment?
What is the purpose of using a hot lime or warm lime precipitation softener in water treatment?
Signup and view all the answers
What role does magnesium play in the softening process of water?
What role does magnesium play in the softening process of water?
Signup and view all the answers
Why are weak-acid cation exchangers (WAC units) preferred over strong acid cation exchangers (SAC units) in water treatment?
Why are weak-acid cation exchangers (WAC units) preferred over strong acid cation exchangers (SAC units) in water treatment?
Signup and view all the answers
What is done to reduce dissolved silica content in softener effluent?
What is done to reduce dissolved silica content in softener effluent?
Signup and view all the answers
Why does the build-up of scale on boiler passes pose a problem?
Why does the build-up of scale on boiler passes pose a problem?
Signup and view all the answers
