Baytex Energy Corp., Calgary, plans to begin pilot thermal recovery project next year on oil sands acreage it has acquired in the Cold Lake region of northeastern Alberta.

Athabasca Oil Corp., Calgary, expects to receive approval to proceed with its Hangingstone Project 1 in situ oil sands development in the southern Athabasca region of Alberta (OGJ Online, Sept. 13, 2010).

Total SA’s projections call for a plateauing of global crude oil production at 95 million boe/d by 2025-30, according to Michael Borrell, Total senior vice-president, Continental Europe-Central Asia.

Aiming to boost its oil-recovery rate on the Norwegian continental shelf to 60%, Statoil has begun construction of a 240 million krone ($41.7 million) research center for improved recovery at Trondheim, Norway.

US Sens. Kent Conrad (D-ND), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), and Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) introduced a bill on Sept. 20 designed to expand the use of carbon dioxide for enhanced oil recovery.

The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate has recognized Statoil ASA for improving oil recovery via gas injection at Oseberg field in the North Sea off Norway.

Rex Energy Corp., State College, Pa., said its enhanced oil recovery operations in giant Lawrence field in southern Illinois have the potential to double the field’s output by the end of 2015.

Devon Energy Corp., Oklahoma City, said production from its Jackfish 1 and 2 thermal projects in the southern Athabasca oil sands region of Alberta reached 51,000 b/d of bitumen in the second quarter, 63% above the year-earlier average (OGJ Online, Dec. 6, 2011).

Cenovus Energy Inc., Calgary, has provided updates on its Foster Creek, Christina Lake, Pelican Lake, Telephone Lake, and Narrows Lake oil sands and heavy oil projects in western Canada.