Peace River Oil Sands Projects FAQ

How oil is produced from tar sands?

Tar sands are also known as oil sands. It consists of thick bitumen mixed with sand, water and clay. Bitumen, being the most important component in tar sands, is made of hydrocarbons and it is used to produce gasoline and other petroleum products. Oil production from tar sands has four stages: Mining and Extraction, Processing, Refining and Cleanup.

How much oil is in Canada?

In 2018 it was proved that Canada’s reserves of crude oil contain 166.7 billion barrels. Oil sands — 162.5 billion and conventional — 4.2 billion barrels are conventional.

What is tar sands oil used for?

The most significant deposits of tar sands are located in Alberta, Canada. It is used to produce different petroleum products, especially gasoline.

What is Peace River oil sands known for?

Peace River oil sands, located in northwest-central Alberta, is the smallest oil deposit in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin formation. One of the main methods that are used to extract heavy oil in the Peace River area is cold heavy oil production with sand. The heavy oil and sand re brought to the surface and separated in storage tanks.

Why the oil sands are good?

Six facts prove that oil is not so bad as people used to think:

  • Per barrel greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have decreased
  • Tailings ponds technology is improving
  • Most GHG emissions come from your car
  • Oil sands water withdrawals are closely monitored
  • New regulations could further reduce emissions
  • Almost all water in the oil sands is recycled

References