Technology Overview

Our Underground Process

Our advanced portfolio of production capabilities includes conventional in situ techniques as well as an innovative underground recovery process.

True Benefits of Gravity

The underground process was developed and operated successfully for over a decade by an agency of the Alberta government. It involves constructing a large passageway (similar to a subway tunnel) below the oil bearing rock, in which OSUM’s well delivery system is established. This technique affords the true benefits of gravity - including increased oil recovery - since the bitumen drains down into the gathering system in the passageway and is removed in a vastly more efficient pumping system.

OSUM holds several process patents related to the underground approach and has several process patents pending.

Lowest Steam to Oil Ratios

Since less heat is lost getting the steam to the oil zone when wells are delivered from beneath the oil bearing rock, the underground process is on record as achieving the lowest steam to oil ratios of any in situ thermal recovery technique used in the oil sands to date.

Business Advantages of Underground Production

• Uninterupted year round operations at comfortable temperatures
• Reduced well costs and lifting costs
• Improved thermal process efficiency
• Improved recovery factor