Tar Sands

Frank J. Mink

Frank J. Mink

Energy Resources Conservation Board, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

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Richard N. Houlihan

Richard N. Houlihan

Energy Resources Conservation Board, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

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First published: 15 June 2000

Abstract

The article contains sections titled:

1.

Introduction

1.1.

Oil Sands and Crude Bitumen Defined

1.2.

Geological Setting

1.2.1.

Athabasca Oil Sands Area

1.2.2.

Peace River Oil Sands Area

1.2.3.

Cold Lake Oil Sands Area

1.3.

Reserves

1.3.1.

In-Place Reserves

1.3.2.

Minable Reserves

1.3.3.

In Situ Reserves

2.

Minable Oil Sands Development

2.1.

Mining Operations

2.1.1.

Waste Management

2.1.2.

Mining

2.2.

Bitumen Production

2.2.1.

Conditioning and Bitumen Froth Separation

2.2.2.

Froth Treatment

2.3.

Tailings Disposal

2.4.

Bitumen Upgrading

2.4.1.

Coking Processes

2.4.2.

Hydrogen Addition Processes

3.

In Situ Oil Sands Development

3.1.

Cyclic Steam Stimulation: Cold Lake Project

3.2.

Steam Drive: Peace River Project

3.3.

Primary Crude Bitumen Production

3.4.

Technical Issues Affecting In Situ Recovery

3.4.1.

Casing Design

3.4.2.

Gathering and Distribution System

3.4.3.

Production Treating

3.4.4.

Oily Waste Disposal

4.

Economic Development

4.1.

Mining Projects

4.2.

Economic Viability

5.

Challenges Past and Present

5.1.

Technology

5.1.1.

Mining and Bitumen Production Technology

5.1.2.

In Situ Recovery Technology

5.1.3.

Bitumen Upgrading Technology

5.2.

Environmental Issues

5.3.

Public Policy

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