Crude Bitumen Well Activity

Updated June 2024

Rising in situ production volumes over the past two decades mirror the growing number of bitumen wells (see Figure S3.4). However, the number of producing bitumen wells is declining relative to the peak in 2015. Producing bitumen wells fell to 10 368 in 2023 (12.4% less than in 2022).

Production by Recovery Method

For 2023, the in situ production volume breaks down as follows:

  • 75% from steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) operations
  • 13% from cyclic steam stimulation (CSS)
  • 12% from primary recovery and nonthermal recovery methods

Compared with the 2022 levels of production, in 2023,

  • SAGD production increased by 1.9% to 211.4 thousand cubic metres per day (103 m3/d) or 1330.1 thousand barrels per day (103 bbl/d);
  • CSS production marginally increased to 35.5 103 m3/d (223.2 103 bbl/d); and 
  • Primary and enhanced oil recovery production increased by 19.7% to 33.2 103 m3/d (208.8 103 bbl/d).

Figure S3.5 shows in situ bitumen production by recovery method.

Well Productivity

In 2023, the weighted average annual productivity of all in situ bitumen wells significantly increased to 27.0 m3/d. Compared with CSS or primary wells, SAGD wells typically have higher a production rate and more consistent production, but there are more CSS and primary wells (see Figure S3.6). 

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