Conventional Technology

Marathon leverages its technical capabilities in reservoir characterization, drilling and completions, enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and heavy oil/in situ-recovery to capture additional resources from current assets, including unconventional oil and gas reservoirs.

The key to optimizing production and resource development is quick and accurate description of reservoirs. Marathon's expertise in reservoir characterization begins with seismic imaging, but emphasizes integration of all geoscience, petrophysical and engineering data into fully integrated solutions. The benefits of such an approach are higher success rates in discovery, drilling and production activities.

Integrated solutions are especially critical in solving challenges associated with more complex unconventional and heavy oil [in-situ] reservoirs. The Company has extensive experience in evaluating and operating carbon dioxide (CO2) injection projects, the most widely used EOR method in the world. CO2 injection reduces reservoir forces that trap oil in place, making it easier for oil to flow. Additional benefits include improved oil quality and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Marathon is working to develop numerous technologies to improve the efficiency of its Canadian in-situ opportunities, including catalyst applications, hydroconversion and hydrocyclone technology to improve sand and bitumen separation, enhanced tailing management processes and innovative froth treatment technologies.