The steam-assisted gravity drainage recovery technique we use at our Surmont facility requires the production of steam using large boilers called once-through steam generators, or OTSGs. Gas turbine once-through steam generators, or GT-OTSGs, integrate natural-gas powered turbines with the OTSGs in order to produce electricity at the same time as steam.  The steam is used for bitumen production, and the electricity produced is used to power the facilities. We’re currently piloting GT-OTSG technology at Surmont and, if successful, it could result in economic benefits, as well as reducing our environmental footprint.

GT-OTSGs reduce our operations’ reliance on electricity from the Alberta power grid. By coupling the gas turbine exhaust with the OTSGs, we could also reduce our N0x emissions.