Synthetic crude oil: is it feasible yet

Journal Article · Fri Feb 01 04:00:00 EDT 1974 · Energy Int., v. 11, no. 2, pp. 25-27

OSTI ID:4312728

The Athabaica tar sands contain as much oil as Saudi Arabia and from their tar synthetic crude can be prepared. Since 1967, the Great Canadian Oil Sands Company has been producing 45,000 bbls/day as a result of a 0 million investment. The other wellknown oil companies are now investing in the venture in the Canadian sands. The extraction problems are discussed and GCOS is still operating at a loss, but is close to breakeven point and is planning an increase. The group of the other oil companies is producing 125,000 bbls/day and it is thought this may be justifiable. The conversion of coal is gaining momentum and the processes of liquefaction and gasification being tested by all the companies are discussed. COGAS is a venture of six oil companies and their process of developing gasification of char from coal pyrolysis making pipeline quality gas and high-quality, lowsulfur synthetic crude is described. The process produces 27,000 bbls/day of gas, sulfur, phenols, and ammonia, all from 25,000 tons/day of coal and compares well with the most efficient Synthane-Hydrane process. The cost of synthetic natural gas made by COGAS cannot be evaluated at this time. (MOW)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-29-023804
• OSTI ID: 4312728
• Journal Information: Energy Int., v. 11, no. 2, pp. 25-27, Journal Name: Energy Int., v. 11, no. 2, pp. 25-27; ISSN ENEIB
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

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