Where are the oil sands located in Alberta?
Alberta
Athabasca oil sands/Province
Where are the three major oil sands regions in Alberta?
Canada’s oil sands are found in three regions within Alberta and Saskatchewan: Athabasca, Cold Lake and Peace River, which combined cover an area more than 142,000 square kilometres (km2).
How much of Alberta is oil sands?
About 4,800 km² of surface mineable area make up roughly 3.4% of all Alberta oil sands.
Why are there oil sands in Alberta?
Alberta’s oil sands were formed millions of years ago, as tiny marine creatures died and drifted to the sea floor and were covered by layers of sediment that exerted enough pressure and temperatures to transform the organic matter into oil. Over millions of years, that oil became trapped in thick layers of sand.
Are the oil sands really that bad?
Tar sands oil — even the name sounds bad. And it is bad. In fact, oil from tar sands is one of the most destructive, carbon-intensive and toxic fuels on the planet. Producing it releases three times as much greenhouse gas pollution as conventional crude oil does.
Why the oil sands are bad?
In fact, oil from tar sands is one of the most destructive, carbon-intensive and toxic fuels on the planet. Producing it releases three times as much greenhouse gas pollution as conventional crude oil does. In fact, it has become one of the fastest-growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions in that country.
What are the disadvantages of oil sands?
Cons
- Enormous GHG emissions.
- Relatively low net energy return compared to other sources.
- Large amounts of water required: roughly 3:1.
- Water pollution.
- Destructive to major boreal forest.
- Widespread habitat destruction, both on land and water.
- Requires expensive and risky pipelines.
Why are oil sands bad?
Who owns Canadian oil sands?
Suncor Energy
Canadian Oil Sands/Parent organizations
On March 21, 2016 Suncor Energy completed acquisition of Canadian Oil Sands with the support of the Boards of Directors of both companies. The total aggregate transaction value was approximately $6.6 billion including company’s estimated debt of $2.4 billion Their former website now redirects to Suncor Energy’s site.
How dirty are oil sands?
Tar sands extraction emits up to three times more global warming pollution than does producing the same quantity of conventional crude. It also depletes and pollutes freshwater resources and creates giant ponds of toxic waste. Refining the sticky black substance produces piles of petroleum coke, a hazardous by-product.
Should Canada use the Alberta tar sands as a resource?
Not only do the Alberta oil sands have a negative environmental impact – they don’t make sense economically. On-going small scale oil sands production in Alberta may be a strategic option for Canada, but large scale expansion is throwing good money after bad – without even beginning to count the environmental impact.
What are the bituminous sands in Alberta for?
Bitumen is the heavy unconventional oil found in the Alberta tar sands (also called oil sands). Only a specialized refinery can process bitumen and turn it into refined products such as fuels. Few refineries in Canada can do it.
Are oil sands bad?
We already knew that Canadian tar sands oil is particularly damaging for the climate, but a new study reveals that the fuel is especially bad for human health, too. The study, published last week in the journal Nature, found that the vapors produced by a sizable oil sands operation cause as much air pollution as a major city.
What are oil sands production?
Oil sands production has exceeded conventional oil production since 2010. In 2019, oil sands production was 2.9 million barrels per day compared to 1.7 million barrels per day of conventional oil production (including tight oil).
What is oil sand extraction?
Mining refers to the oil sands extraction process whereby large amounts of earth are removed, mixed with water and transported by pipeline to a plant, where the bitumen is separated. Definition. Oil sands are a mixture of sand, water, clay and bitumen found in several locations around the globe, with the largest reserve located in Alberta , Canada.