Heavy Oil Innovation Haunted by Low Oil Prices and Bad Memories

摘要

Oil production from heavy oil wells in western Canada jumped after an electric heating cable was installed.One of those wells is owned by Canadian Natural Resources (CNRL),which reported that production rose 50% (SPE 196187).The gains"have proven the economics of continuing the operation of the downhole electric heat and CNRL will be applying to continue the enhanced oil recovery process,"according to a report to the Alberta Energy Regulator.Still,those heating cables made by Salamander Solutions are a tough sell.It is up against depressed heavy oil prices,the high cost of electricity in some locations,and long memories of heating cables that failed.