Over 80 Rotork CP, GP and RC200 pneumatic actuators have been installed on well pads in Alberta, Canada, where they will be part of an in situ steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) oil sand extraction project.
SAGD technology is used to extract bitumen oil from 800 metres below the surface of the earth. This process is a form of steam stimulation in which two horizontal wells drill into an oil reservoir, one a few metres above the other. The actuators control the flow of steam and bitumen oil in two wells. The levels of precision offered by the CP, GP and RC200 pneumatic actuators a critical as the exact temperature must be maintained at all times in order to ensure that the steam condenses at the right point and facilitate the flow to the separation facility.
The well pads follow a new zero base design (ZBD) and are located in Northern Alberta. It is expected that this project will create a 15 to 20 per cent reduction in the surface footprint for the well pads and a 35 to 55 per cent reduction in the overall well pad cost.
The actuators have been installed on a remote site with a harsh environment. They will be exposed to temperatures as low as -50°C with snowy weather conditions. Their robust designs enable to operate properly even under conditions such as these.
All CP, GP and RC200 actuators are certified to IP 66M/67M, ATEX 2014/34/EU, PED 2014/68/EU.
Image credit: Rotork