Combined output from Foster Creek and Christina Lake reached more than 95,000 bbls/d net to Cenovus Energy in the 3Q, a 44% increase from the same period last year, according to a news release.

Production at Christina Lake averaged more than 32,000 bbls/d net, a more than threefold increase from 3Q 2011. The company said the increase was driven by strong performance from phase C and the ramp-up of production at phase D. Full capacity was reached at phase C in the 1Q, while phase D saw first oil production in late July, approximately three months ahead of schedule. During the quarter, Christina Lake also achieved a single-day production high of more than 87,000 bbls/d gross.

Once phase D is fully ramped up, production capacity at Christina Lake is expected to reach 98,000 bbls/d gross. With the addition of another four planned phases, Cenovus said it believes Christina Lake has the potential to produce 288,000 bbls/d gross, increasing to as much as 300,000 bbls/d with optimization.

Production at Foster Creek grew 12%, compared with 3Q 2011, to more than 63,000 bbls/d net, mainly due to improved well performance and plant optimization, the release said. Throughout the quarter, production at Foster Creek consistently exceeded the project’s original design capacity by approximately 5%, averaging more than 126,000 bbls/d gross.

There are five phases currently producing at Foster Creek, with three more under construction. A public consultation process is under way for an additional expansion phase, according to the release. Ultimately, Cenovus expects Foster Creek will have the capacity to produce 295,000 bbls/d gross and as much as 310,000 bbls/d with optimization.