Development and production of oil from the Athabasca tar sands

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1968 · Explor. Econ. Pet. Ind.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5601780

Baillie, R A; Mertes, T S

Methods for extracting oil from the Athabasca tar sands have been developed and commercialized. The cost of extracting the main part of Athabasca tar sands oil as compared to recovering conventional oil is the major consideration. The future ability of Athabasca oil producers to compete economically with both conventional petroleum producers and other energy suppliers remains the critical determinant of future Athabasca development. the most likely chronology of future events may run somewhat as follows: (1) the cost of conventional crude oil will eventually increase. This increase will be subject to indeterminant delay by the possibility of new major crude oil discoveries and improving technology. (2) In situ methods will be developed and producers will become more familiar with Athabasca technology and costs, providing more certain forecasts of economic potential. (3) Shale oil and coal liquefaction technology and cost information wtll concurrently be developed by producers in the U.S. and Canada. (4) Future crude oil producers will base their decision to develop a particular source on economic principles.

• Research Organization: Sun Oil Co.
• OSTI ID: 5601780
• Journal Information: Explor. Econ. Pet. Ind.; (United States), Journal Name: Explor. Econ. Pet. Ind.; (United States) Vol. 6; ISSN EEPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040401* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- In Situ Methods
True & Modified
ATHABASCA DEPOSIT
BITUMENS
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL GASIFICATION
COMBUSTION
COST
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
EXTRACTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GASIFICATION
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
IN-SITU COMBUSTION
IN-SITU PROCESSING
MATERIALS
OIL SAND DEPOSITS
OIL SANDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDATION
PROCESSING
PRODUCTION
RECOVERY
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
TAR
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION
THERMAL RECOVERY
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES