Steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) technology continues to advance rapidly, driven by improvements in numerical simulation, inflow-control technologies, fiber-optic monitoring, and real-time production optimization. A major industry focus today is on late-life performance optimization, particularly gas control during the blowdown phase and improved steam conformance through the implementation of inflow control devices (ICDs), both pre- and post‑blowdown.
In late-life SAGD operations, gas management and conformance control become the primary optimization challenges. One clear trend is the strategic placement of ICDs to improve inflow distribution and mitigate excessive gas production during the blowdown phase.
In paper SPE 230259, the critical challenge of modeling ICD performance at temperatures approaching steam-flashing conditions is discussed. Successful operation requires a thorough understanding of ICD behavior under high-temperature thermal conditions, where increased choking and higher-than-expected flow resistance may affect well productivity negatively following installation. The study demonstrates that balanced inflow distribution is essential for effective ICD performance in SAGD. Ideally, ICDs should restrict flow in high-temperature, steam-prone zones while allowing production from cooler, liquid-rich intervals.
If the ICD-induced pressure drop significantly exceeds that of the surrounding liquid pool, inflow becomes overly restricted, resulting in reduced overall productivity. Conversely, if the ICD pressure drop is too low, the device behaves like an open port and fails to provide meaningful flow control. As a practical design guideline, a maximum pressure drop ratio of approximately 0.3 is recommended to prevent excessive choking while maintaining effective conformance control.
Paper SPE 230265 evaluates the potential of autonomous inflow-control valves (AICVs) to block gas production during the blowdown phase. In late-life SAGD, operators typically transition to blowdown, injecting noncondensable gas—commonly natural gas—into the steam chamber to maintain pressure and provide thermal insulation at the chamber crest. After steam-chamber coalescence, gas production from infill wells and producers can increase substantially, leading to high operational costs associated with gas handling, compression, and reinjection. Retaining gas within the reservoir, therefore, is a key objective.
AICVs have been successfully implemented in offshore environments such as the North Sea to reduce gas cut in conventional (nonthermal) operations. There is growing interest in adapting this technology for SAGD to prevent gas production during blowdown. A significant challenge remains, however; most AICVs are designed for nonthermal applications and require modification to withstand SAGD conditions, where temperatures commonly exceed 200°C.
Finally, paper SPE 230260 focuses on preventing gas entry into the electric submersible pump (ESP). Gas locking has reduced ESP run life significantly and caused unstable production in SAGD operations. Analysis of no-flow events revealed that gas/oil ratios were underestimated by approximately 500%, highlighting the severity of gas interference. While inverted shrouds have been deployed widely to reduce gas intake into ESPs, this study introduces, for the first time in SAGD applications, an upper tandem gas separator (UT-GS) as an alternative gas-handling solution. Field examples demonstrate that the UT-GS improved production stability and delivered higher production rates compared with performance before ESP replacement.
Summarized Papers in This April 2026 Issue
SPE 230259 Steam-Sensitive Flow-Control Device Implemented in Surmont SAGD Project by Matthew French, SPE, and Alex Colleaux, SPE, ConocoPhillips, and Marco Melo Llanos, SPE, Baker Hughes, et al.
SPE 230265 SAGD Performance at Blowdown Phase Optimized With Autonomous Inflow Control Valves by Maria A. Roa, SPE, Ismarullizam M. Ismail, SPE, and Einar Gisholt, SPE, InflowControl AS, et al.
SPE 230260 Dynamic Gas Separation Integrated Into SAGD for Improved ESP Performance by Shadi Gabasa, SPE, SLB, and Rejish Joseph, SPE, Suncor Energy
Recommended Additional Reading
SPE 230272 Toward Elimination of Surface Casing Vent Flow in Thermal Wells: Cement Properties That Matter by Z.R. Lin, Sanjel Energy Services, et al.
Sahar Ghannadi, SPE, is president of Ashaw Energy, where she leads initiatives in the design and optimization of steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) and geothermal wells. She holds a PhD degree in petroleum engineering from the University of Alberta. A key focus of Ghannadi’s work is the development of advanced software to integrate well and reservoir data into a single platform for operational use. Before taking her current role, she held technical positions at BP, Suncor Energy, and E2E Energy. Ghannadi has authored and presented more than 30 technical papers on various aspects of SAGD operations and is an active member of SPE.