1. n. [Heavy Oil]

The process of generating two or more forms of energy from a single energy source. For example, in a heavy oil field, turbines are often used to generate electricity while their waste heat is removed to generate steam. Other alternatives exist, with turbines being run by burning gas or crude oil. Alternatively, the primary heat source can be used to generate steam directly at extremely high pressure and temperature, with the steam being run through a turbine to generate electricity before the steam is distributed to injection wells.

See related terms: injection well