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Canadian Tar Sands

Canadian Tar Sands. By: Chris Wolfe. http://www.technologyreview.com/NanoTech/wtr_16059,318,p1.html. Tar Sand History. -Most Canadian tar sands located in three major deposits in northern Alberta -Sands have been in production since the 1967 Suncor mine

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Canadian Tar Sands

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  1. Canadian Tar Sands By: Chris Wolfe http://www.technologyreview.com/NanoTech/wtr_16059,318,p1.html

  2. Tar Sand History -Most Canadian tar sands located in three major deposits in northern Alberta -Sands have been in production since the 1967 Suncor mine -In 1998, the Syncrude mine shipped its billionth barrel of oil -For the period 1996 to 2016, approximately 87 billion dollars of investment

  3. Reserves -As of 2005, 174.1 billion barrels in proven recoverable reserves -Estimated 315 billion barrels in recoverable reserves -Total resource base of 1.7-2.5 trillion barrels -Canada has 15% of the world’s proven oil reserves -At current production rates (1.1 mm bbl/d), it would take ~433 years to deplete these reserves

  4. Surface Mining -Tar sands typically lie 40-60 meters beneath the surface -Tar sands first mixed with hot water and caustic -Resulting bitumen froth is separated and further purified -Water purification and recycling is the key to a successful operation -2 tons of oil sands required per barrel of crude - Each barrel of crude produced requires 3-6 barrels of water and 730 scf of natural gas

  5. http://www.technologyreview.com/NanoTech/wtr_16059,318,p1.htmlhttp://www.technologyreview.com/NanoTech/wtr_16059,318,p1.html

  6. Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) http://www.oilsandswatch.org/album/osf-illustrations/projector.php?slide=7

  7. Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS) -Uses hydrocarbon solvent vapors much like SAGD uses steam -Potential for much greater efficiency than steam -Still a new technology -Used since the 1950s -First, the steam at 300-400 degrees Celsius is pumped into a well for a period of weeks -Second, the steam is left to soak in for a few days -Finally, the hot oil is pumped up from the ground until production dies down -The process is then repeated Vapor Extraction Process (VAPEX)

  8. Economic Viability -Average cost per barrel in 2007 is $28 -Current labor shortage in Alberta is raising costs -A growing material shortage is hurting the oil sands as well -Environmental concerns have led the Canadian government to phase out tax breaks for the tar sand industry in the near future -Royal Dutch Shell reported an average 2006 profit of 21.75 $/bbl -Current oil prices ~90 $/bbl -Canada has been the largest single provider of crude to the US for almost a decade

  9. Environmental Impact http://www.technologyreview.com/NanoTech/wtr_16059,318,p1.html

  10. -According to current production rates, tar sands mining and processing uses ~293.1 billion scf of natural gas per year and ~1.2 billion barrels of water per year http://www.oilsandswatch.org/album/osf-illustrations/projector.php?slide=7 -All the water used for tar sand mining comes from local rivers and lakes -Once the water is used, it cannot be purified enough to return to the environment -As water supplies run low, refineries will be forced to switch to deeper, brackish aquifers

  11. Water Treatment Options -Water treatment can cost up to 20% of invested capital -Evaporation -- technical road blocks, waste disposal -Inorganic/Ceramic Membranes – successful pilot work, not economical enough to be implemented in the market -Polymer Softening Membranes – risk of damage due to process temperature, risk of organic fouling -Membrane Bioreactors – excellent separation, new technology

  12. Conclusion -Canadian tar sands have proven, stable reserves -Production of tar sands has been profitable -Promising new technology gives the indistry a brighter future -Serious environmental concerns -Material and labor shortages already

  13. Questions? http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/6/65/Oil_sands_open_pit_mining.jpg

  14. References • Alberta Energy. “Fact Sheet Link.” Oil Sands Fact Sheet. June 2006. 17 Nov. 2007 <http://www.energy.gov.ab.ca/‌oilsands/‌954.asp#Facts>. • Barbajosa, Alejandro. Energy Bulletin. 17 Nov. 2007 <http://www.energybulletin.net/‌4385.html>. • Robertson, John. “Emerging technologies and challenges in water use and re use .” CHOA Technical Luncheon. 2 Oct. 2007. • Spragins, Frank. “Oil Sands History.” Syncrude Canada. 16 Nov. 2007 <http://www.syncrude.ca/‌users/‌folder.asp?FolderID=5657#top>. • United press. Sustainable Transport Coallition. 16 Nov. 2007 <http://www.stcwa.org.au/‌index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1255>.

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