A proposed methodology to startup wells with electrical downhole heating as apreconditioning method for a steaminjection process. The downhole electrical heating recovers oil which resultsin a reduction in the reservoir pressure. Once oil has beenrecovered for a period of time and the operating pressure and temperature hasbeen reduced, SAGD well pairs are provided betweenthe downhole heater wells, and SAGD or a SAGD- like method used to produceoil. The method reduces heat losses due to steaminjection at lower pressure and temperature and therefore, improves efficiencyand lowers operating costs. Operating at lower pressureand temperature will also reduce the risk of melting the permafrost andconsequent well failure issues. When oil production drops belowan economical level, remaining oil can be collected at the DHH wells using theSAGD wellpair for gas or solvent or steam sweeps,or combinations thereof.
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