How big are the oil sands?
It is approximately 600 kilometres (370 mi) from east to west, and 70 kilometres (43 mi) from north to south, with an area about 55,314 square kilometres (21,357 sq mi). The oil sands consist of large deposits of extra heavy crude.
How much land do the oil sands take up?
Geography. Alberta’s oil sands lie beneath 142,200 km² of land in the following areas of Northern Alberta: Athabasca. Cold Lake.
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.
How much oil is in the oil sands?
Oil sands are found in various countries throughout the world, but in vast quantities in Alberta and Venezuela. Alberta’s oil sand reserves are estimated at 1.7 to 2.5 trillion barrels of oil trapped in the complex oil sand mixture, and this represents the largest single reserve of oil in the world.
Does Canada use its own oil?
All gasoline comes from crude oil. Refineries in western Canada process exclusively domestic oil due to their proximity to inexpensive WCSB production. These refineries process more oil sands synthetic crude and bitumen than refineries elsewhere in Canada.
Why are oil sands bad for the environment?
Climate Impacts: The greenhouse gas emissions for oil sand extraction and processing are significantly larger than for conventional crude oil. These emissions contribute to global warming and the enhanced greenhouse effect.
Can you see oil sands from space?
The evolution of Canada’s oil sands industry over three decades is visible from space, as newly released NASA satellite images show its growing mark by the Athabasca River.
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.
Which is the biggest truck in the oil sands?
Some of the biggest trucks in the world like the enormous Euclid trucks that can haul over 300 tonnes. Mostly working in the oil sands in Fort McMurray Alberta Canada. Filmed by Marc Pearce of Hok Nik Creative.
What kind of mining equipment is used in the oil sands?
A payload of 400 tonnes is now considered the norm for oil sands mining operators. The 4000 hp Caterpillar 797F is one of the most popular models for newer mining fleets. A bigger truck means fewer trips to the processing plant, which greatly improves mining efficiency.
How big are the oil sands in Canada?
Surely something with this size and scope must have a big impact in other places – and it does. The oil sands produce more than 56% of Canada’s oil and contains over 98% of Canada’s proven reserves. Over the next 25 years, $783 billion in royalties and taxes will be paid to the government.
How much sand does it take to make one barrel of oil?
On average, it takes 2 tonnes of mined oil sand to produce a single barrel of synthetic crude oil. Depending on whether or not the deposit is located close to the surface, it can be retrieved either by surface mining or using in situ mining techniques (Figure 4). After extraction, the sand must be processed and the bitumen upgraded.
Some of the biggest trucks in the world like the enormous Euclid trucks that can haul over 300 tonnes. Mostly working in the oil sands in Fort McMurray Alberta Canada. Filmed by Marc Pearce of Hok Nik Creative.
How many passes are needed to fill a dump truck in the oil sands?
This refers to the number of shovel loads required to fill a haul truck. The norm in oil sands is 4 passes – i.e., 4 shovel loads are required to fill a dump truck. This is normally completed in less than 2 minutes!
Surely something with this size and scope must have a big impact in other places – and it does. The oil sands produce more than 56% of Canada’s oil and contains over 98% of Canada’s proven reserves. Over the next 25 years, $783 billion in royalties and taxes will be paid to the government.
What kind of equipment is used in the oil sands?
The norm in oil sands is 4 passes – i.e., 4 shovel loads are required to fill a dump truck. This is normally completed in less than 2 minutes! Electric rope and pulley shovels are the workhorse of oil sands mining. Electric shovels are reliable and relatively low cost to operate. However, electric shovels are tethered to a power source.