Pathways Alliance, a group representing Canada's largest oilsands producers, held a global challenge to find innovations that can help accelerate the use of steam-reducing technologies in oilsands operations.'s optical technology, called FLOW, was awarded first prize in the competition, beating out 50 other entries and claiming a $45,000 prize.
Solvents – such as butane and propane – are naturally occurring in oilsands bitumen and are used as a much less energy intensive alternative to steam. "Replacing steam in SAGD production with solvents could result in up to a 90% reduction of CO2 emissions," said a release.
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