Comparing Venezuelan and Canadian Heavy Oil and Tar Sands

The world’s two largest oil deposits are the heavy and extra heavy oil deposits of Venezuela and Canada. These deposits have many similarities and some differences; however, the general similarity in geological disposition and history, in reservoir and fluid parameters, and in other factors, is striking. Extensive technological developments in Canada in the period 1985-2000 have resulted in several new heavy oil exploitation technologies, and new ideas continue to be generated. This innovative thrust has developed in part because of the great exploitation difficulties experienced in Canada and the greater maturity of the sedimentary basin: to maintain oil production, it was necessary to move toward heavy oil and oil sand development sooner than in Venezuela. The technologies of SAGD, CHOPS and PPT have been the major directions of technical activity in Canada, whereas in Venezuela, more favorable reservoir conditions allowed the use of multilateral horizontal wells. The article reviews technical developments and deposit properties in the two countries, and points to a vast potential in the application of technologies developed and perfected in Canada to the vast resources in Venezuela. Not only will this be of value in specific projects and areas, it will also benefit and stabilize world oil supplies in the long term.