Test of SAGD Flow-Distribution-Control Liner System in the Surmont Field, Alberta, Canada

The Surmont Well Pair 102-06 started steam-assisted-gravity-drainage (SAGD) operation in April 2009 with flow-distribution control (FDC) built into the horizontal liners for both the injection and the production wells. After preheat steam circulation, this liner system has allowed operation without a toe tubing string in either completion and has delivered superior steam-chamber development and overall performance. The design also allowed reducing the liner and casing size for the injection well. Future SAGD-well design may benefit by further reduction in liner and casing sizes for both the injector and producer, which could allow longer completions by reducing liner drag and increasing directional-drilling flexibility. Ultimately, these SAGD-well design changes could increase the amount of reservoir developed per well and per well pad, using longer wells and more wells per pad while achieving superior SAGD performance.