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OIL SANDS / INTERACTIVE 3D

SAGD injector and producer well pair

Explore two horizontal well paths and the conceptual heated region used to explain Alberta steam-assisted gravity drainage.

Static preview of the sagd injector and producer well pair schematic
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Drag to orbit · Scroll or pinch to zoom · Select a visible part or use the parts list. Keyboard: focus the view and use arrow keys to orbit.

HOW TO READ THIS MODEL

The system, explained.

Steam-assisted gravity drainage uses an upper horizontal well to inject steam and a lower horizontal well to produce heated bitumen and condensed water. This open-front scene separates the two well paths and their surface boundaries. Blue arches mark an illustrative steam-chamber region above the injector, while short downward markers help explain gravity drainage toward the producer. The visible liner sections are independent hollow teaching shapes with open gaps; they are not a selected completion. The chamber has no calculated or observed extent, and the scene does not describe a particular Alberta reservoir or facility.

Model scope and limits

Original generic well-pair teaching scene. The two open surface boundaries, ground openings, independent curved paths, hollow liner sections, chamber outlines and direction markers are illustrative. Relative height explains injector and producer roles; spacing, depth, shape, completion, steam distribution, rock properties, containment, thermal growth, flow, production, water handling, emissions, well integrity, safety and regulatory suitability are not represented or established. Use qualified site-specific engineering and current requirements for real operations.

Further reading: Alberta Geological Survey, Oil Sands: steam-assisted gravity drainage well-pair concept ↗

Source links support further study; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

What relationship does this SAGD scene explain?

Choose an answer

GUIDED COMPONENT STUDY

Trace the system.

Read each explanation, then focus its component in the explorer. This is a learning route through the model, with no operating or maintenance sequence.

  1. Start at the upper surface boundary

    The gold-side collar is an open endpoint for a possible steam-supply role. No generator, treatment train, pressure control or selected wellhead is attached.

  2. Follow the injector down and across

    This hollow upper path turns from the surface into a horizontal direction. Its drawn curve and depth are illustrative.

  3. Inspect an open upper liner section

    Separate open-ended pieces make the horizontal path inspectable. The small gaps do not specify real perforations, slots, flow distribution or completion hardware.

  4. Read the chamber outline

    The blue arch is a static conceptual boundary above the injector. It is not a measured steam-front shape or a prediction of chamber growth.

  5. Interpret the upward marker

    This short line only guides the eye toward the chamber outline. It supplies no steam quality, temperature, pressure or velocity.

  6. Locate the lower producer

    The second horizontal path sits below the injector. It represents the collection role described for SAGD, without a selected inflow device.

  7. Follow drainage conceptually

    The downward line explains why the producer is lower. No viscosity, reservoir permeability, production rate or recovery is calculated.

  8. Trace produced fluids toward surface

    The lower hollow path returns to its own surface boundary. Pumps, separation, water recycling and transport are outside this scene.

  9. Separate the scene from an actual reservoir

    The brown backplane gives visual context only. It has no mapped stratigraphy, thickness, properties or reservoir-specific geometry.

Additional primary references: Alberta Geological Survey: oil sands in-situ methods and SAGD well-pair roles; checked September 27, 2026 ↗ · Alberta Energy Regulator: steam-assisted gravity drainage definition ↗

Explore the SAGD steam-side roles.

Follow the connected teaching scene ↗Inspect the steam-generator cutaway ↗Inspect the steam and liquid separator ↗

The connected scene places three separate original models beside five illustrative paths. It is not a matched plant; water treatment, piping, steam quality, pressure control, blowdown handling and operating conditions remain unverified.

ACCESSIBLE COMPONENT REFERENCE

Every part, in plain language.

Search all components ↗Model provenance ↗
Reservoir-section base

Open-front section support; no formation or foundation dimensions. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Illustrative reservoir backplane

Brown backdrop locates the two horizontal well paths in an invented reservoir section. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Illustrative upper boundary

Simple upper marker for reading the scene; not a mapped caprock or containment claim. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Overburden backplane

Separate overburden colour block; no stratigraphy, depth or rock properties are represented. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Reservoir-section floor

Lower visual boundary of this open-front teaching section. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Ground-surface slab

Two actual openings receive the independently drawn injector and producer paths. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Injector surface opening ring

Open visual boundary at the ground plane, without casing program or surface seal design. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Producer surface opening ring

Open visual boundary at the ground plane, without casing program or surface seal design. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Injector curved well path

Upper path turns from the surface into the horizontal injector role. It is open at both ends. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Producer curved well path

Lower path turns toward the produced-fluid surface boundary. It is open at both ends. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Injector surface spool

Unrated surface connection marker; steam supply or produced-fluid handling remains outside this scene. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Injector open boundary collar

Open endpoint, without wellhead pressure control, valves or external facilities. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Injector surface identification plinth

A colour-coded label location, not a pad survey, construction plan or safe-access platform. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Producer surface spool

Unrated surface connection marker; steam supply or produced-fluid handling remains outside this scene. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Producer open boundary collar

Open endpoint, without wellhead pressure control, valves or external facilities. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Producer surface identification plinth

A colour-coded label location, not a pad survey, construction plan or safe-access platform. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Injector open liner section 1

One separate hollow, open-ended teaching section. Small gaps expose the path; they are not a perforation, slot size or completion design. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Injector liner end marker 1

Separate annular section-end marker; it does not establish a joint, screen or liner specification. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Injector open liner section 2

One separate hollow, open-ended teaching section. Small gaps expose the path; they are not a perforation, slot size or completion design. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Injector liner end marker 2

Separate annular section-end marker; it does not establish a joint, screen or liner specification. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Injector open liner section 3

One separate hollow, open-ended teaching section. Small gaps expose the path; they are not a perforation, slot size or completion design. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Injector liner end marker 3

Separate annular section-end marker; it does not establish a joint, screen or liner specification. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Injector open liner section 4

One separate hollow, open-ended teaching section. Small gaps expose the path; they are not a perforation, slot size or completion design. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Injector liner end marker 4

Separate annular section-end marker; it does not establish a joint, screen or liner specification. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Injector open liner section 5

One separate hollow, open-ended teaching section. Small gaps expose the path; they are not a perforation, slot size or completion design. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Injector liner end marker 5

Separate annular section-end marker; it does not establish a joint, screen or liner specification. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Injector open liner section 6

One separate hollow, open-ended teaching section. Small gaps expose the path; they are not a perforation, slot size or completion design. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Injector liner end marker 6

Separate annular section-end marker; it does not establish a joint, screen or liner specification. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Injector distal open end

Open far-end marker. No length, toe isolation, steam distribution or inflow profile is inferred. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Producer open liner section 1

One separate hollow, open-ended teaching section. Small gaps expose the path; they are not a perforation, slot size or completion design. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Producer liner end marker 1

Separate annular section-end marker; it does not establish a joint, screen or liner specification. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Producer open liner section 2

One separate hollow, open-ended teaching section. Small gaps expose the path; they are not a perforation, slot size or completion design. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Producer liner end marker 2

Separate annular section-end marker; it does not establish a joint, screen or liner specification. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Producer open liner section 3

One separate hollow, open-ended teaching section. Small gaps expose the path; they are not a perforation, slot size or completion design. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Producer liner end marker 3

Separate annular section-end marker; it does not establish a joint, screen or liner specification. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Producer open liner section 4

One separate hollow, open-ended teaching section. Small gaps expose the path; they are not a perforation, slot size or completion design. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Producer liner end marker 4

Separate annular section-end marker; it does not establish a joint, screen or liner specification. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Producer open liner section 5

One separate hollow, open-ended teaching section. Small gaps expose the path; they are not a perforation, slot size or completion design. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Producer liner end marker 5

Separate annular section-end marker; it does not establish a joint, screen or liner specification. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Producer open liner section 6

One separate hollow, open-ended teaching section. Small gaps expose the path; they are not a perforation, slot size or completion design. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Producer liner end marker 6

Separate annular section-end marker; it does not establish a joint, screen or liner specification. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Producer distal open end

Open far-end marker. No length, toe isolation, steam distribution or inflow profile is inferred. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Steam-chamber outline 1

Open arch marks a possible conceptual heated region above the injector. It is not a simulated chamber surface, observed extent or thermal front. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Steam-chamber outline 2

Open arch marks a possible conceptual heated region above the injector. It is not a simulated chamber surface, observed extent or thermal front. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Steam-chamber outline 3

Open arch marks a possible conceptual heated region above the injector. It is not a simulated chamber surface, observed extent or thermal front. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Steam-chamber outline 4

Open arch marks a possible conceptual heated region above the injector. It is not a simulated chamber surface, observed extent or thermal front. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Steam-chamber outline 5

Open arch marks a possible conceptual heated region above the injector. It is not a simulated chamber surface, observed extent or thermal front. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Illustrative upward steam marker 1

Static upward reading direction only; no pressure, phase transport or steam rate is modeled. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Illustrative upward arrow head 1

Static directional marker, not calculated steam movement. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Illustrative upward steam marker 2

Static upward reading direction only; no pressure, phase transport or steam rate is modeled. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Illustrative upward arrow head 2

Static directional marker, not calculated steam movement. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Illustrative upward steam marker 3

Static upward reading direction only; no pressure, phase transport or steam rate is modeled. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Illustrative upward arrow head 3

Static directional marker, not calculated steam movement. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Illustrative upward steam marker 4

Static upward reading direction only; no pressure, phase transport or steam rate is modeled. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Illustrative upward arrow head 4

Static directional marker, not calculated steam movement. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Illustrative gravity-drainage marker 1

Static downward reading path from the heated-region concept toward the lower producer. No actual drainage or recovery is simulated. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Illustrative gravity-drainage marker 2

Static downward reading path from the heated-region concept toward the lower producer. No actual drainage or recovery is simulated. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.

Illustrative gravity-drainage marker 3

Static downward reading path from the heated-region concept toward the lower producer. No actual drainage or recovery is simulated. Invented geometric teaching marker only; no well design, reservoir forecast, completion specification, pressure, temperature or recovery result.