Canada's Oil Sands: A Primer
What are oil sands?
Oil sands are a type of unconventional petroleum deposit that contains bitumen, a heavy, viscous form of crude oil. Bitumen is too thick to flow easily, so it must be extracted using specialized techniques.
The largest oil sands deposits in the world are located in Alberta, Canada. The Athabasca, Peace River, and Cold Lake deposits together contain an estimated 170 billion barrels of proven and probable reserves.
How are oil sands extracted?
There are two main methods for extracting oil from oil sands: surface mining and in situ extraction.
Surface mining is used when the oil sands are close to the surface. The overburden (the layer of soil and rock that covers the oil sands) is removed using large machines, and the oil sands are then mined using shovels and trucks.
In situ extraction is used when the oil sands are too deep to be mined using surface mining techniques. In situ extraction involves drilling wells into the oil sands and injecting steam or solvents to heat the bitumen and make it flow more easily.
What are the environmental impacts of oil sands extraction?
The extraction of oil from oil sands has a number of environmental impacts, including:
- Air pollution: The extraction and processing of oil sands releases air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter.
- Water pollution: The extraction and processing of oil sands requires large amounts of water, which can lead to water pollution if it is not properly treated.
- Land pollution: The extraction and processing of oil sands can leave behind large amounts of waste material, which can pollute the land.
What are the economic benefits of oil sands extraction?
The extraction of oil from oil sands has a number of economic benefits, including:
- Jobs: The oil sands industry creates jobs in a variety of sectors, including mining, construction, and transportation.
- Tax revenue: The oil sands industry generates tax revenue for governments at all levels.
- Economic growth: The oil sands industry contributes to economic growth by providing investment and creating jobs.
