Project Profile
CAPEX: US$185-200 million
Location: 330 km northeast of Edmonton, Alberta
2P Bitumen reserves: 1.35 billion barrels (2015)
Best estimate Bitumen contingent resources: 1.1 billion barrels (2015)
Production capacity: 130,000 barrels per day
Start-up year: 2014 (phase F), 2016 -2017 (phases G & H)
The Foster Creek project began in 1996 and in 2001 became the industry\'s first commercial SAGD project in the oil sands with a very low steam-to-oil ratio at 3.0 SOR. It has grown in six phases (A-F) which are all currently producing. In the first quarter of 2010 Foster Creek achieved a significant milestone in becoming the largest commercial SAGD project in Alberta to reach royalty payout status.
SAGD is energy efficient and requires minimal surface disturbance. Cenovus has reduced the average surface footprint of the well pads at Foster Creek by one-third since 2003. The above-ground footprint of a well pad is less than 10% of the total resource area being accessed underground. Nearly all of the water used in the operations at Foster Creek is not fit for people, animals or agricultural purposes. Over 90% of this water is recycled repeatedly.
In September 2010 Cenovus received regulatory approval for the next three phases of expansion, namely F, G and H. When all three phases are completed, the expansion is expected to increase Foster Creek\'s gross production capacity to 245,000 barrels per day.
Construction is close to completion on phase G and it is expected to start producing oil in the second half of 2016. Construction of phase H is currently on hold. Regulatory approval for phase J was received in 2014.
Operators:
Cenovus: Operator with 100% interest