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In the last 30 years, one of the biggest changes to the oil patch has been introduction of new technologies, especially for automated surveillance that can help save lives, and reduce risks to those working in the patch.

Zyg Siwy and Dave Craigen have seen how these new technologies have improved their work in the oil field, with both men having over 35 years of experience in the patch. A majority of their employment has been with Cenovus, previously known as EnCana and PanCanadian.

"When I first started working as a field operator, there would be six operators checking over 600 wells every second day, by physically driving to them," said Siwy. "The biggest concern was any kind of release, or oil leak on any of the equipment. The operators would physically get out of their truck to ensure that the well was pumping, that all the rotating equipment was operating, and check the readings for flow and pressure."

"What hasn't changed is that you are always looking for things that are environmental and mechanical," said Craigen. "It is how we watch that has changed; 30 years ago we used our senses and had put in a lot more 'windshield time'."

The very first automation that was piloted in the Weyburn oil field by Cenovus was started in 1984. "There was no need to physically drive to these wells as frequently, because the automation had settings and alarms that would warn us of a pending problem," said Siwy. "Then as operators, we would have to address the alarms, and determine the importance of these alarms based off production."

It took nearly 10 years before three-quarters of the field was covered by this automation, and those wells that have the technology surveillance produce over 95 per cent of Cenovus' yearly production.

In addition to having pump-off automation on the wells, buildings in the oil field were also automated, especially for those that contain processing equipment. The most important of these surveillance technologies are the H2S (hydrogen sulfide) detection units.

"It is these H2S detection units that ensure that leaks are detected, while they are still small and manageable," said Craigen. "By detecting leaks earlier, it has helped us reduce cleanup costs, ensure the safety of our employees, and reduce the chances of risks."

Another big change to the oil patch in the last 30 years has been adapting safety regulations, as managing risks has become more of a topic of discussion for all employees. "The hope is that you get your people in that mindset that in their day-to-day operations they will be aware of the risks that might be there," said Craigen.

"In my time in the oil patch it went from having no written procedures, to now where there isn't a task that doesn't have a written procedure," said Siwy. With hundreds of procedures in place, it is the employees who have ownership over reviewing and designing plans that work best for their facilities.

"We have gone a long way in developing procedures, and it will only go further in the future," said Siwy. "The reason why is because when these pieces come together they save lives and reduce accidents."

"Cenovus has always been on the leading-edge of technologies and risk management preparedness," said Craigen. "We do that by bringing in new people with new skills and by meeting the challenges head on."