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Solvent Aided Process (SAP) combines benefit of using steam with solvents and has the potential to substantially improve SAGD performance with lower energy intensity and impact on the environment. Cenovus has been developing a SAP since 1996 and has conducted a few successful pilots (Senlac 2002, Christina Lake A0101 2004-2005, Christina Lake A0202 2009-2016). Cenovus has planned to implement a SAP in the Narrows Lake development when that project is sanctioned. The general practice for SAP is to co-inject solvent with steam after the SAGD peak rate is reached as steam is most effective for the vertical growth of steam chamber. However, by injecting solvent during the rise rate phase, there could be a large facility saving by not requiring an additional solvent line to each wellhead. Rather, solvent can be added to the steam header immediately after steam leaves the steam generation plant and distributed to all wells, regardless of their vintage. To de-risk the addition of solvent at the steam header, Cenovus implemented an early rise rate phase SAP pilot at Christina Lake A0201 well pair. The objective of this field pilot was to investigate the effects of butane injection during the SAGD early rise rate phase. This paper describes the implementation and results of the Christina Lake A0201 early rise rate SAP pilot. Presented in this paper are the results of this field test showing that no adverse effects on SAGD performance were observed when injecting solvent during the rise rate phase. This paper also shows the history match of field production data using CMG CMOST simulation. The findings of this investigation add to the knowledge base of information related to the optimal solvent injection timing in a SAP process. Insights into performing SAP history matches are also presented based on the simulation study that was undertaken.

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