Enhanced Modified VAPour EXtraction R&D Operation

Lead Proponent: MEG Energy Corp.
Location: Near Conklin, Alberta
EIP Contribution:$ 9,933,000
Project Total: $56.9 M
Strategic Area: Oil and Gas Clean Technologies

Project Objectives:

The main objectives of the enhanced Modified VAPour Extraction (eMVAPEX) technology are to efficiently grow MEG’s bitumen production rate, achieve sustainable cost savings and minimize environmental impacts to land, air and water. It is anticipated that by employing eMVAPEX, the bitumen production rate and overall bitumen recovery will increase relative to the SAGD process while requiring significantly less steam injection. As eMVAPEX requires less steam per barrel of oil, MEG is projecting an approximately 43% reduction in GHG emissions relative to the industry average as well as a significant reduction in water usage. The efficiency gain in steam deployment will allow MEG to redeploy existing steam generation capacity to new patterns, further increasing bitumen production and reducing the overall per barrel footprint and cost of bitumen production.

Expected Results:

MEG targets annual production of 80,000-82,000 barrels per day in 2017. Steam generation is the main contributor to GHG emissions and the operating cost of bitumen production. eMVAPEX involves injection of a light hydrocarbon instead of steam after initial SAGD operation when bitumen recovery reaches between 20-30%. It is anticipated that by employing eMVAPEX, overall plant bitumen production could be increased by up to 70% with the same steam assets employed for SAGD bitumen production. The overall GHG emission intensity is expected to be reduced by as much as 43% for industry standard assets at 3.0 SOR, as well as improving the overall recovery from the reservoir.

Project Partners:

Western Research Institute (WRI)
Alberta Innovates (AI)