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Calgary, AB – October 27, 2021. 

Scovan has been awarded funding in the TIER Economic Recovery Program’s first cohort of innovative technologies to advance the HipVap technology towards commercialization. Alberta Innovates’ TIER Economic Recovery Program consists of “shovel-ready” projects that will accelerate innovation in support of GHG emissions reduction, increase long-term economic competitiveness and stimulate growth in critically important sectors of Alberta’s economy.


The HipVap Commercialization Prototype Demonstration Project “the Project” will be a single production-scale Indirect Fired Steam Generator (IFSG) unit, providing innovative produced water steam generation, coupled with the Orsico disposal water treatment system. The unit will be installed and operated at a Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) facility near Bonnyville, Alberta. The Project is currently in advanced stages of engineering and fabrication with field construction scheduled to commence in Q4 2021 and commissioning in Q1 2022. With a 12-month operating period planned, the Project will advance HipVap’s technology readiness level, clearing the final hurdles for commercialization. Once commercialized, HipVap will reduce water consumption, water disposal rates, direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, land use, and the cost per barrel of oil produced.


The HipVap technology eliminates the need for conventional SAGD water treatment processes for produced water, including produced water-cooling systems, to generate steam from produced water. As these systems are maintenance intensive, their removal offers operational cost savings, capital costs savings and more importantly significantly improves plant up-time. The IFSG is transformative technology deployment for the oil sands industry and is well suited for both conventional greenfield and brownfield SAGD application as well as small scale, well pad based, steam generation.

Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation said of the project: “Technology and innovation helped us unlock our energy resources, and will continue to be essential to push us forward. Time and again, Alberta’s innovators are making ground-breaking discoveries and commercializing the solutions our energy industry, and the world needs. This project demonstrates the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation excellence Alberta is known for.”

ABOUT ALBERTA INNOVATES (AI):
Alberta Innovates invests in research, innovation and entrepreneurship to drive provincial economic growth and diversity. We ignite the power of innovation through our work with researchers, industry and entrepreneurs to move Alberta to a lower-carbon future, promote the responsible use of land and water, and contribute to the improved health and well-being of Albertans.

Alberta Innovates provides technical expertise, entrepreneurial advice and support, opportunities for partnerships, and funding to advance the best ideas. We support a broad range of research and innovation activity – from discovery to use. Collaboration is at the heart of what we do – bringing together bright minds and great ideas.

For more information about Scovan or the HipVap Indirect Fired Steam Generator technology, please contact:


Valerie Stewart
VP Strategy & Development, Scovan
[email protected] 

Jane Cavanagh
VP Product Innovation, Scovan
[email protected]