Seamless Integration for Sustainable Operations Now and in the Future

As Western Canada’s energy industry pivots towards more sustainable operations, integrating new technologies that can significantly reduce carbon emissions and water usage is essential for a successful transition. Now more than ever, solutions that can be seamlessly integrated with and complement existing facilities are needed to deliver environmental benefits sooner. At the forefront of this shift is Scovan’s own HipVap Indirect Fired Steam Generator (IFSG) technology. HipVap targets reduced CO2 emissions, water usage, and land footprint by enabling the direct conversion of produced water to steam, eliminating the need for much of the upstream water treatment processes traditionally required in SAGD. Due to its innovative design and proprietary scale prevention methods, HipVap’s ability to operate directly on produced water significantly reduces wasted energy by maintaining the water at temperature. Moreover, eliminating the need for extensive produced water treatment and cooling allows the removal of much of the upstream process equipment and complexity compared to existing technologies.

To advance the technology readiness level from 6 to 8, a commercial pilot demonstration project is underway and will reach a successful close at the end of 2024. Having commenced operations in 2022, the HipVap pilot has enabled extensive testing and qualification of the technology. The pilot was hosted and integrated into the Strathcona Resources Lindbergh SAGD facility, allowing testing within a live operating system. This testing proved HipVap’s ability to generate steam from produced water. It helped refine and characterize the technology on a wide range of process conditions, ensuring a solid basis for commercial and economic estimates and guiding refinements to the design and configuration of auxiliary equipment. Throughout its design, fabrication, construction, and two years of operations, the project garnered support from organizations, including Alberta Innovates, having been selected into the inaugural cohort of the TIER Economic Recovery Program and was awarded through the Clean Resources Innovation Network (CRIN) Reducing Environmental Footprint Technology Competition.

During its operation, the pilot further supported developing and testing other novel technologies, including the ORSIL wastewater treatment system and an artificial intelligence-powered data visualization and optimization platform for enhanced HipVap operations, which was co-developed with Drishya AI Labs.

Having already completed the early design of a commercial-scale 1000 TPD HipVap IFSG system, the success of the pilot project brings the final stage of commercialization for the technology within reach. With the increasing push for decarbonization of Canada’s energy industry, HipVap represents a momentous achievement for the present and future of sustainable steam in SAGD.

As Canada’s energy industry continues to evolve, agile and flexible design will be crucial for continued progress in emissions, water use, and waste reduction. HipVap is poised at the leading edge of SAGD innovation with a modular, easily deployable design that can add steam capacity with minimal disruption to existing systems. Ease of adoption will help ensure rapid deployment of the revolutionary IFSG technology, allowing organizations to create meaningful emissions reductions sooner.

Furthermore, efforts to develop an integrated AI optimization platform throughout the HipVap pilot will provide clients with the option to enhance the environmental and economic benefits of the IFSG system by incorporating AI-powered optimization into everyday operations.

With its potential as a standalone solution, its ability to integrate with existing facilities, and a future as a fully pad-based deployment, HipVap provides choice and flexibility in the transition to sustainable SAGD operations. Scovan’s commitment to the ongoing development and advancement of HipVap will ensure that it remains a leader in innovative energy technologies, setting a benchmark for the industry’s transition towards a more sustainable future.

Originally published in the 9th edition of Scovan's Bi-annual magazine IGNITE.