Tar SandsTar Sands

April 11, 2006

By: Owen Campbell, David Reed, and Nick ZambardiGlobal Change 2, Winter 2006, Section 3 GSI: Sara Tourscher

ThesisThesis

• Tar sands are a viable alternative to the problem that has resulted from the depletion of fossil fuels.

• There are, however, environmental problems.

Canadian Geography 101Canadian Geography 101

http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/mapping/worldofmaps/images/map-canada.gif

Canadian Geography 101Canadian Geography 101

Edmonton

Approximate Location of Tar Sands

World Energy Production From OilWorld Energy Production From Oil

Legend

Energy Production From Oil

Energy production from oil

0 - 1198

1199 - 2983

2984 - 6501

6502 - 14881

14882 - 23238

23239 - 56440

(Measured in 1000 Metric Tons)

What is tar sand?a combination of clay, sand, water and bitumen.

What is bitumen?• Bitumen is a high-

viscosity, semisolid form of oil that does not accumulate in wells like crude oil. Chemically, on average it is composed of 83.2% carbon, 10.4% hydrogen, 0.94% oxygen, 0.36% nitrogen and 4.8% sulfur

• It can be processed and refined to produce synthetic crude oil that can be used in the same manner as regular crude oil.

Tar sand refinery

Why is everyone talking about tar Why is everyone talking about tar sands?sands?

• Currently, tar sands account for roughly 66% of the world’s proven oil reserves.

• Two largest reserves:– Alberta, Canada– Orinoco River, Venezuela

• With the remaining 33% of crude oil reserves dwindling…– Oil companies are looking to tar sands as a viable option

despite the economic and environmental costs of the extraction and refining processes.

Process of ExtractionProcess of Extraction

• Surface Mining– Approximately 500 feet to surface

• In-situ• methods

– Below500 feet

Syncrude mining area, Alberta, Canada

Environmental Problems With Tar SandsEnvironmental Problems With Tar Sands

• Environmental costs to animals such as: Black Bears, Bison, Wolves

• Using today’s most advanced bitumen processing techniques – two tons of tar sand are required to produce one barrel of synthetic

crude oil.• approximately 80 kg of greenhouse gases• five barrels of toxic waste water

• These waste products are released into the environment with little regard for cleanup or the safety of the surrounding ecosystems.

• Man-made lakes from toxic waters• Deforestation

The Economic Problem With Tar SandsThe Economic Problem With Tar Sands

• Currently, the economic cost of the production of oil from tar sand is extremely high. Synthetic crude made from tar sands costs $25 per barrel, compared to $5 per barrel for oil from the Middle East.

• However, as Middle Eastern oil prices continue to rise, tar sands are becoming an increasingly viable option.

• Lack of employees.

ConclusionConclusion

• Despite the high environmental costs, the price and supply of Middle Eastern oil will cause tar sands to become a major source for the world’s oil.