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Oil Sands

Oil Sands. Michael Cibicki. Oil Sands aka “Tar Sands”. What are they? Where are they found? How are they extracted?. What are they?. A mixture of sand or clay, water and extremely viscous petroleum called bitumin Often referred to as unconventional oil. Where are they found?.

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Oil Sands

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  1. Oil Sands Michael Cibicki

  2. Oil Sands aka “Tar Sands” • What are they? • Where are they found? • How are they extracted?

  3. What are they? • A mixture of sand or clay, water and extremely viscous petroleum called bitumin • Often referred to as unconventional oil

  4. Where are they found? • Historically used by ancient Egyptians, Sumerians, and Persians for waterproofing uses • Primary reserves found in Canada (Alberta) and Venezuela • 20% of US oil comes from Canada, 50% oil sands • Alberta has 54,000 sq miles of oil sands containing 95% of Canadian oil reserves and 75% of North American oil reserves

  5. Extraction • 40-60m under the surface, underlain by limestone • Shovel and truck strip mining operation • After excavation, hot water and caustic soda (NaOH) are added and mixture is agitated, creating a liquid with oil rising to the top • Bitumen is much thicker and must be mixed with lighter petroleum or gas before it can be transported via pipeline to a refinery. • 2-4 times the amount of green house gases as conventional extraction • 2 tons of oil sand needed to create 1 barrel of oil • 90% extraction

  6. Extraction • Steam assisted gravity drainage • Two pipes, one on top for steam, one under to catch oil • 60% recovery • Cyclic Steam generation • Steam injected into a well at 300-340 degrees C • Injected for a period of weeks to months • Drained for a period of weeks to months • 20-25% recovery

  7. References • http://www.energy.alberta.ca/OilSands/793.asp • http://www.ienearth.org/ • http://hornriver.files.wordpress.com/ • http://scienceblogs.com/framing-science/

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