Team members have also investigated the economics of the process compared with steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD). While front-end costs for ISC are in some cases higher, the operating costs and source water requirements should be lower. ISC also has the potential to obtain additional oil recovery as a follow up to steam exploitation. 

Today, the In Situ Combustion Research Team consists of about 30 people including eight research associates and 20 graduate students led by the University of Calgary’s Dr. Gordon Moore and Dr. S.A. (Raj) Mehta, both internationally recognized leaders in the area of in situ combustion technology. Together they have helped to establish over 20 international research and educational partnerships around the globe from China to Peru, bringing benefits to both the University and the Canadian oil industry.