Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary method of extracting heavy oil from oil sands in fully underground processes?
What is the primary method of extracting heavy oil from oil sands in fully underground processes?
- Water separation technique
- Cyclic steam stimulation (CSS)
- Steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) (correct)
- Surface mining
Why is bitumen heated before it can flow?
Why is bitumen heated before it can flow?
- To mix it with sand
- To solidify it
- To increase its viscosity
- To reduce its viscosity (correct)
What role do Power Engineers play in the extraction process of bitumen?
What role do Power Engineers play in the extraction process of bitumen?
- Plant operators using high-pressure steam (correct)
- Operating large earth-moving machinery
- Separating bitumen from sand
- Applying surface mining techniques
Why are SAGD and CSS used instead of surface mining for extracting bitumen?
Why are SAGD and CSS used instead of surface mining for extracting bitumen?
What is the purpose of reducing the viscosity of bitumen in the extraction process?
What is the purpose of reducing the viscosity of bitumen in the extraction process?
What is a common hydrocarbon product that bitumen is processed into?
What is a common hydrocarbon product that bitumen is processed into?
What is the primary function of the lime softener mentioned in the text?
What is the primary function of the lime softener mentioned in the text?
What does the steam to oil ratio (SOR) indicate in the context of the text?
What does the steam to oil ratio (SOR) indicate in the context of the text?
Why is brackish water increasingly used in SAGD and CSS facilities?
Why is brackish water increasingly used in SAGD and CSS facilities?
What happens if a plant's steam to oil ratio (SOR) exceeds the target range mentioned in the text?
What happens if a plant's steam to oil ratio (SOR) exceeds the target range mentioned in the text?
Why is the use of brackish water preferred over fresh makeup water in SAGD and CSS facilities?
Why is the use of brackish water preferred over fresh makeup water in SAGD and CSS facilities?
What is the purpose of adding demulsifier chemicals in the separation process?
What is the purpose of adding demulsifier chemicals in the separation process?
What is the role of diluent in the bitumen extraction process?
What is the role of diluent in the bitumen extraction process?
What is the final water content in the sales dilbit after going through the treater vessel?
What is the final water content in the sales dilbit after going through the treater vessel?
How is oil removed from the produced water in an induced gas flotation (IGF) vessel?
How is oil removed from the produced water in an induced gas flotation (IGF) vessel?
What is the function of an oil removal filter (ORF) in the de-oiling process?
What is the function of an oil removal filter (ORF) in the de-oiling process?
'Softener effluent' refers to water that has been treated to remove which impurity?
'Softener effluent' refers to water that has been treated to remove which impurity?
What is the primary function of weak-acid cation exchangers (WAC units) in water treatment?
What is the primary function of weak-acid cation exchangers (WAC units) in water treatment?
Why is it important to remove impurities such as bicarbonates and silica from de-oiled produced water?
Why is it important to remove impurities such as bicarbonates and silica from de-oiled produced water?
'Produced water' in the context of this text refers to water that has been:
'Produced water' in the context of this text refers to water that has been:
'Dilbit' is a term used for bitumen that has been:
'Dilbit' is a term used for bitumen that has been:
What is the reason behind using once-through steam generators (OTSGs) instead of drum-type boilers in SAGD plants?
What is the reason behind using once-through steam generators (OTSGs) instead of drum-type boilers in SAGD plants?
What is the purpose of separators installed in the steam lines of SAGD plants?
What is the purpose of separators installed in the steam lines of SAGD plants?
In which direction does the horizontal section of piping extend once in the oil sands formation?
In which direction does the horizontal section of piping extend once in the oil sands formation?
Why is CSS not used for shallow oil sands reservoirs?
Why is CSS not used for shallow oil sands reservoirs?
What is the main difference between SAGD and CSS processes in terms of recovery?
What is the main difference between SAGD and CSS processes in terms of recovery?
What is the purpose of injecting high-pressure, high-temperature wet steam in the first stage of CSS?
What is the purpose of injecting high-pressure, high-temperature wet steam in the first stage of CSS?
How is the condensed steam used in SAGD plants to facilitate bitumen flow?
How is the condensed steam used in SAGD plants to facilitate bitumen flow?
How does geological pressure assist in bringing the emulsion to the surface in SAGD plants?
How does geological pressure assist in bringing the emulsion to the surface in SAGD plants?
What are some common components found in the emulsion returning from producer wellheads in both SAGD and CSS processes?
What are some common components found in the emulsion returning from producer wellheads in both SAGD and CSS processes?
Why is CSS considered superior to SAGD for deeper oil sands reservoirs?
Why is CSS considered superior to SAGD for deeper oil sands reservoirs?
