Updated June 2025
The rising production reflects technological advancements that have improved well productivity, enabling higher production with fewer wells (see Figure S3.8). However, the number of producing bitumen wells is declining relative to the peak in 2014. Producing bitumen wells rose marginally to 10 737 in 2024 (3.6% more than in 2023).
Production by Recovery Method
For 2024, 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 2023 levels of production, in 2024,
- SAGD production increased by 3.2% to 218.2 thousand cubic metres per day (103 m3/d) or 1373.2 thousand barrels per day (103 bbl/d),
- CSS production increased by 4.7% to 37.2 103 m3/d (233.8 103 bbl/d), and
- primary and enhanced oil recovery production increased by 10.3% to 36.6 103 m3/d (230.3 103 bbl/d).
Figure S3.9 shows in situ bitumen production by recovery method.
Well Productivity
In 2024, the weighted average annual productivity of all in situ bitumen wells increased slightly to 27.2 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 S3.10).
