Alberta Tar SandsAlberta Tar Sands

Is it good for Is it good for Canada?Canada?

Alberta Oil Sands AreaAlberta Oil Sands Area

The ResourceThe Resource

► AAlberta's oil sands lberta's oil sands contain the biggest contain the biggest known reserve of oil in known reserve of oil in the world. An estimated the world. An estimated 1.7 to 2.5 trillion 1.7 to 2.5 trillion barrels of oil are barrels of oil are trapped in a complex trapped in a complex mixture of sand, water mixture of sand, water and clay. Bitumen is a and clay. Bitumen is a heavy, carbon rich, heavy, carbon rich, extremely viscous oil. extremely viscous oil. The percentage of The percentage of bitumen in oil sand can bitumen in oil sand can range from 1% -20%. range from 1% -20%.

Mining ProductionMining Production► Roughly 500 km2 of the 140,000 km2 oil Roughly 500 km2 of the 140,000 km2 oil

sands deposit in Northern Alberta is sands deposit in Northern Alberta is currently undergoing surface mining activity. currently undergoing surface mining activity. Oil sands within 75 m of the surface are Oil sands within 75 m of the surface are mined using electric and hydraulic shovels mined using electric and hydraulic shovels with a capacity of 45 m3 and trucks that can with a capacity of 45 m3 and trucks that can carry up to 400 tons of ore that take three carry up to 400 tons of ore that take three passes to fill. passes to fill.

In Situ ProductionIn Situ Production► In situ recovery is used for In situ recovery is used for

bitumen deposits buried too bitumen deposits buried too deeply - more than 75 m - for deeply - more than 75 m - for mining to be practical.mining to be practical.

► Most in situ bitumen and heavy Most in situ bitumen and heavy oil production comes from oil production comes from deposits buried more than 350-deposits buried more than 350-600 m below the surface.600 m below the surface.

► Steam, solvents or thermal Steam, solvents or thermal energy make the bitumen flow to energy make the bitumen flow to the point that it can be pumped the point that it can be pumped by a well to the surface.by a well to the surface.

► Cyclic steam stimulation (CSS) Cyclic steam stimulation (CSS) and steam-assisted gravity and steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) are effective in drainage (SAGD) are effective in situ recovery methods.situ recovery methods.

► No tailings ponds are required for No tailings ponds are required for in situ methods of recovery. Sand in situ methods of recovery. Sand remains in the ground; only remains in the ground; only bitumen is removed.bitumen is removed.

Refining the BitumenRefining the Bitumen

►Step 1: distillation. Separates various Step 1: distillation. Separates various compounds by physical properties. compounds by physical properties.

►Step 2: coking, hydro-conversion, Step 2: coking, hydro-conversion, solvent deasphalting. Improves solvent deasphalting. Improves hydrogen to carbon ratio. hydrogen to carbon ratio.

►Step 3: hydrotreating. Removes Step 3: hydrotreating. Removes contaminants such as sulphur. contaminants such as sulphur.

Most Goes to the U.S.A.Most Goes to the U.S.A.

Pipelines to U.S.A.Pipelines to U.S.A.

Environmental IssuesEnvironmental Issues

►Non-renewable ResourceNon-renewable Resource►Global Warming (COGlobal Warming (CO22))►Water Pollution (Heavy Metals)Water Pollution (Heavy Metals)►Water Use (2-4L water needed to make 1L oil)Water Use (2-4L water needed to make 1L oil)► Toxic “Tailings” Ponds (waste left over)Toxic “Tailings” Ponds (waste left over)► Air Pollution Air Pollution (Hydrogen sulfide gas released from (Hydrogen sulfide gas released from

crude)crude)►Deforestation (clearing trees)Deforestation (clearing trees)►Habitat Destruction (removing top soil)Habitat Destruction (removing top soil)

Approximately 2 tonnes of oil sands are needed to produce 1 barrel of oil