Canada

Oil production from the Canadian oil sands is big, growing, and its future is in doubt. The problem is the cost and time required to develop new production is not competitive now. While some big international oil companies are selling out, others are focused on changing the economics of growth.

The deal will transfer nearly 2 billion bbl of reserves to Canadian Natural Resources while bolstering Shell's downstream and carbon-capture role in support of oil sand development.

The potential of big data depends on the ability of companies to change the habits of its users.

Innovation is required, but it is not a super-power allowing engineers to effortlessly vaporize long-standing challenges.

SPE conferences in Calgary examine the challenges of finding and producing heavy oil and unconventional hydrocarbons at a time when Canadian producers are feeling exceptional price pressures.

Shell has reaffirmed its commitment to the shale business and views it as a growth opportunity moving into the 2020s

The addition of a hydrocarbon condensate to steam operations in heavy-oil and bitumen reservoirs has emerged as a potential technology to improve not only oil recovery but also energy efficiency.

Chemical enhanced-oil-recovery methods such as polymer and alkaline/surfactant/polymer (ASP) flooding are generally not considered suitable for oil viscosities greater than 100 or 200 cp.

A growing chorus of suppliers, researchers, and service companies is persuading US operators to re-examine their use of slickwater in shale plays and consider displacing it with carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

Some operators are returning to their North American mature unconventional shale wells to refracture, or restimulate, the rock to accelerate production and enhance ultimate recoveries.