SHARP Research Laboratory

Solvent-assisted recovery processes are the next big step in producing heavy oil and bitumen. Over the last two decades, new recovery techniques have been developed to take advantage of both solvent and heat to reduce oil viscosity. These new techniques can enable a bitumen production rate equivalent or greater than is possible with the injection of steam or solvent alone. However, the development of solvent-based processes requires extensive data and modelling methodologies for solvent/heavy oil and solvent/bitumen systems. Therefore, the objective of the SHARP Research Consortium is to fill the existing knowledge gap and provide the fundamental phase behaviour and mechanistic data required for design, optimization and implementation of the new recovery process.

Research progress is reviewed annually at a workshop at the University of Calgary or arranged locations and sponsors are provided with access to the results. We actively seek to collaborate with member companies on specific projects. Our sponsors have access to resources including generated data and publications, presentations, and technical reports through a secure web page.

If you are interested to become a member of SHARP research consortium or would like to know more, you can reach us here.

The Research Consortium initiated in 2008. Phase I of SHARP ended in 2012. The success of Phase I led to the extension to the Phase II with 14 governmental and industrial members and Phase III with 10 members.