Athabasca Oil Sands, Canada

Located around Fort McMurray Alberta Canada Athabasca Oil Sands – named cuts heart deposit – largest province's oil sands resources.

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There companies involved exploiting deposit major operations dominate field. Canadian Oil Sands (now Suncor) world's oil sands mine followed 1978 Syncrude third – Shell Canada Chevron Western Oil Sands joint venture joining 2003.

However total around 2,800 oil sands lease agreements existence province covering 43,800km² – almost 70% Alberta's oil sands areas available exploration leasing.

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Although 2015 predicted oil sands production 3 million barrels per day predicted reserves around 400 years deplete.

"Oil sands production projected thirds Canadian oil production 2010."

In December 2002 Oil & Gas Journal reported that holding 15% world's proven crude oil reserves Canada ranks – Saudi Arabia – Alberta's oil sands accounting bulk country's store. projects onstream oil sands production projected thirds Canadian oil production 2010.

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The Canadian Association Petroleum Producers predicted years later oil production reached 4.8 million barrels per day around 10% conventional crude oil – synthetic crude Athabasca deposit making rest.

Geology reserves

The oil sands mixture sand crude bitumen clay. Although amount bitumen range 20% typically around 10% remainder being 83% silica sand 4% 3% fluvial clay.

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The origins huge resource believed lie north-easterly migration crude southern Alberta driven geological forces caused formation Rocky Mountains gradually being transformed into viscous bitumen time. deposits accumulated incised valleys within Devonian strata subsequently modified rising levels Cretaceous. underlying sedimentary geology reflects continuum aquatic environments fluvial estuarine finally marine shoreline.

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Forming belt 40-60m thick oil sands underlying flat limestone beneath clay sand covered layer water-logged peat metres deep. around 10% Athabasca deposit – amounting 3,400km² – relatively shallow overburden 75m makes possible.

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The oil sands proven reserves 176 billion barrels consisting 174 billion barrels bitumen 1.6 billion barrels crude oil total recoverable reserve 335 billion barrels (315 19.7 billion barrels respectively).

Oil sands mining

Mining methods changed launch large-scale mine Canadian Oil Sands using bucket-wheels coal industry. 1978 Syncrude opened its operation company introduced draglines conveyor systems oil sand exploitation given greater selectivity cost offered truck shovel mining.

"Large draglines conveyor systems given greater selectivity cost offered truck shovel mining."

A variety electric hydraulic shovels excavators haul trucks dozers used major manufacturers including P&H Terex / O&K Bucyrus Caterpillar Komatsu. addition extensive wireless network communication GPS dispatching systems optimise operations.

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However recent rises oil prices coupled around 80% oil sands resource buried deeply open-pit mining led in-situ alternatives gaining ground. extraction techniques commercial scale currently its phase ultimately replace means bitumen production oil sands.

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Of currently available situ technologies steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) probably known. Steam injected into deposit drilled holes oil sand lower viscosity bitumen enabling migrate towards drilled wells allowing surface leaving sand behind. techniques include cyclic steam stimulation (CSS) vapour extraction (VAPEX) toe-to-heel-air-injection (THAI) – approach based injecting into ignite stimulate oil flow.

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Bitumen extraction

The process extract bitumen oil sands commercial scale developed 1920s Dr Karl Clark scientist involved extraction working Alberta Research Council. large-scale sands began variations approach used separate aerated bitumen constituents oil sand within gravity settling vessels.

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This method requires huge amounts energy accounting around 4% Western Canada Sedimentary Basin natural gas production rise 10% 2015. energy gains however viable. According National Energy Board although 33m³ natural gas needed barrel bitumen in-situ methods compared 19m integrated projects barrel oil equivalent 162m³ gas.

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In run gas reserves exhausted bitumen gasification – converting bitumen synthetic natural gas generate its fuel – become eventual ahead.

Upgrading process

Given nature bitumen complex long-chain hydrocarbon molecule rich carbon poor hydrogen requires upgrading improve relative proportions hydrogen allow valuable hydrocarbon products made.

"When gas reserves exhausted bitumen gasification become eventual ahead."

process composed steps: coking remove carbon distillation catalytic conversion hydro-treatment remove sulphur nitrogen hydrogen.

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All mines associated bitumen upgraders convert bitumen into synthetic crude oil shipment refineries although Shell joint venture-operated Muskeg mine uses Scotford upgrader Fort Saskatchewan 400km south. bitumen produced diluted solvent being transferred along 600mm Corridor Pipeline.

Current future production

Suncor Energy's Steepbank Millennium mines 263,000bpd its Firebag SAGD project produces 42,000bpd Syncrude's Mildred Lake Aurora mines 360,000bpd. firebag sulphur completed 2009. firebag phase III currently construction expected contribute 52,500bpd goes operational 2011.

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The Muskeg mine produces 155,000bpd. capacity upgrading facilities being expanded another 100,000bpd. Plans expand capacity 500,000bpd run.

Shell's Jackpine mine phase construction. mine contribute 100,000bpd towards total production. Phase IB 100,000bpd approved. addition Shell received licences producing 290,000bpd synthetic crude Scotford Upgrader.

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The Nexen Lake SAGD project became operational mid-2008. Production expected rise planned 240,000 around 2016. Regulatory approvals phase II expansion includes addition 70,000bpd upgrading capacity production 140,000bpd received.

"Plans expand Muskeg capacity 500,000bpd."

In 2009 Horizon mine (CNRL) operations produced 110,000bpd. Regulatory approvals Tranche 2 3 4 contribute 6,000-15,000bpd 10,000-20,000bpd nearly 105,000bpd respectively.

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Deer Creek Energy (renamed Total E&P Joslyn January 2008) regulatory approval phase Joslyn Mine Project 10,000bpd operational.

mine southern section Joslyn lease project definition stage. additional 100,000bpd produced mine becomes operational years Joslyn Mine starts operations.

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The Imperial Oil's Kearl Oil Sands Project construction. Its operations 2012 100,000bpd. Phases II III received regulatory approval. contribute 100,000bpd towards production.

China's largest oil refiner Sinopec begun looking potential Athabasca; its subsidiary SinoCanada Petroleum 50% Northern Lights mine.

Total E&P Canada owned 50% project withdrew its regulatory application 2008. mine process being integrated Canadian portfolio Total. Sinopec purchased 10% stake mine Total 2009 reduced stake held latter 40%.

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