Ketek Group supported horizontal well dewatering and depressurization activities at a major oil sands mining operation in Northern Alberta by providing integrated pumping, control, power, and monitoring solutions for active mine-water management.
Project Overview
The project required more than a standard pump package. The horizontal well systems needed to operate reliably in a demanding mine environment while supporting depressurization objectives, production planning, groundwater control, and field visibility.
Horizontal wells are used in mining applications to intercept groundwater within targeted formations and reduce pore pressure before it creates operational or geotechnical challenges. These systems form part of a broader mine dewatering strategy where dependable pumping, accurate monitoring, and field-ready controls are essential to maintaining safe and efficient operations.
Ketek Provided:
- Mine dewatering
- Horizontal well pumping systems
- Intelligent pump control
- Power distribution
- Telemetry integration
- Discharge management
- Field commissioning support
For the client, the need was not simply to install pumps. The requirement was to create a reliable, monitored horizontal well pumping system that could function as part of a broader mine-water management network.
Client Challenge
The client required a practical and reliable method to manage groundwater and support depressurization in active mining areas. Horizontal wells were being used to remove water closer to the source, reduce pressure within targeted formations, and support ongoing mine progression.
The operating environment created several key challenges:
- Groundwater conditions varied by formation and well location.
- Pump selection needed to account for flow rate, total dynamic head, operating range, and well conditions.
- Controls and power systems had to meet mine-site requirements.
- Equipment needed to be robust enough for field deployment in northern Alberta conditions.
- Operators required visibility into pump status, flow, pressure, runtime, and alarm conditions.
- The system needed to support long-term operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance planning.
Ketek provided an integrated horizontal well pumping system approach that combined pump sizing, power planning, Intelligent Pump Control System skids, field instrumentation, discharge support, telemetry readiness, and commissioning support.
Ketek’s Solution
The solution included:
- Pump sizing and selection based on expected production rates, total dynamic head, operating conditions, and well requirements.
- Horizontal well pumping systems with operating ranges suitable for mine dewatering applications, including systems in the range of approximately 1,500 to 8,000 m³/day depending on site requirements.
- IPCS skid integration for automated pump control, monitoring, alarms, and data collection.
- Mine code-compliant electrical and control infrastructure suitable for active mine environments.
- Power requirement evaluation to support stable pump operation and avoid under- or over-sizing of power infrastructure.
- Discharge line review to support reliable flow, manage friction losses, and maintain practical field operation.
- Instrumentation integration for flow, pressure, pump status, runtime, and operating data.
- Telemetry and remote dashboard readiness to support centralized monitoring and operational decision-making.
- Field commissioning and troubleshooting support during deployment and operation.
By combining these components into one coordinated system, Ketek helped reduce interface gaps between pumping equipment, controls, power, field instrumentation, and site operations.
Intelligent Pump Control System (IPCS) Integration
Ketek’s Intelligent Pump Control System, or IPCS, played a central role in the horizontal well pumping systems. The IPCS skids provided a field-ready platform for pump automation, data collection, equipment protection, and operational visibility.
For horizontal well applications, the IPCS platform helped operators monitor and manage key system information, including pump run status, flow rate, pressure, runtime, alarm conditions, operating trends, system performance, and field troubleshooting data.
When connected to telemetry dashboards, the IPCS platform allows operators and project teams to view key information remotely. This is especially valuable in large mine environments where wells and pumping systems may be spread across multiple operating areas.
The IPCS approach turns each horizontal well from a standalone pump installation into a monitored dewatering asset. This allows the client to better understand system performance, respond to issues faster, reduce unnecessary field checks, and support long-term mine-water planning.
Field Execution
Ketek supported the work from technical review through field deployment. The execution approach focused on making sure the full pumping system was designed to operate together, rather than treating each component separately.
The project scope required close coordination between pump selection, skid configuration, power requirements, instrumentation, discharge routing, telemetry requirements, and field commissioning. Ketek’s field experience allowed the team to support practical decisions related to constructability, maintainability, operating access, and site-specific mine requirements.
The result was a horizontal well pumping system that was not only sized for the hydraulic duty, but also prepared for real-world operation in an active mine environment.
Practical Value Delivered
The horizontal well systems supported proactive groundwater management and depressurization by removing water closer to the source and improving visibility into field operation.
Key benefits included:
- Improved monitoring of horizontal well pumping performance
- More reliable pump control and protection
- Better visibility into flow, pressure, runtime, and alarms
- Reduced reliance on reactive field checks
- Improved ability to troubleshoot operating issues
- Support for long-term dewatering and depressurization planning
- Integration of pumping, power, controls, discharge, and telemetry into one coordinated system
The value of the system was not limited to moving water. The value came from controlling, monitoring, and understanding each horizontal well system in real time.
Results
Ketek’s horizontal well pumping systems are currently operating across multiple regions in Western Canada, including mine dewatering and depressurization applications in Northern Alberta oil sands mining environments.
These systems support groundwater management by combining properly sized pumps, mine-ready control skids, practical power solutions, field instrumentation, and telemetry integration.
By providing a complete system rather than isolated equipment, Ketek helped deliver a more reliable, measurable, and maintainable dewatering solution for the client.
Ketek Capabilities Demonstrated
This project demonstrates Ketek’s ability to support horizontal well dewatering projects through:
- Pump sizing and selection
- Horizontal well pumping system design
- IPCS skid design and supply
- Mine code-compliant power and control systems
- Power requirement and generator sizing
- Permanent power integration support
- Discharge line sizing and layout support
- Flow, pressure, and pump performance monitoring
- Telemetry and remote dashboard integration
- Field commissioning and operational support
- Ongoing maintenance and troubleshooting support
One stop solution for 24/7 dewatering services
Horizontal wells are an effective tool for mine dewatering and depressurization, but their success depends on the complete operating system behind them.
At a major oil sands mining operation in Northern Alberta, Ketek supported horizontal well pumping applications by integrating pump selection, control systems, power infrastructure, instrumentation, telemetry, and field execution into a practical mine-ready solution.
This project reflects Ketek’s real-world experience supporting complex dewatering systems in active oil sands mining environments. For clients, the benefit is a reliable pumping system that provides not only water removal, but also the operational visibility needed to manage groundwater with confidence.
Need a Reliable Dewatering Solution?
Raiyan Zahid
Project Manager
