Technology assessment: environmental, health, and safety impacts associated with oil recovery from US tar-sand deposits

Technical Report · Tue Oct 13 04:00:00 EDT 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6093147· OSTI ID:6093147

Daniels, J I; Anspaugh, L R; Ricker, Y E

The tar-sand resources of the US have the potential to yield as much as 36 billion barrels (bbls) of oil. The tar-sand petroleum-extraction technologies now being considered for commercialization in the United States include both surface (above ground) systems and in situ (underground) procedures. The surface systems currently receiving the most attention include: (1) thermal decomposition processes (retorting); (2) suspension methods (solvent extraction); and (3) washing techniques (water separation). Underground bitumen extraction techniques now being field tested are: (1) in situ combustion; and (2) in situ steam-injection procedures. At this time, any commercial tar-sand facility in the US will have to comply with at least 7 major federal regulations in addition to state regulations; building, electrical, and fire codes; and petroleum-industry construction standards. Pollution-control methods needed by tar-sand technologies to comply with regulatory standards and to protect air, land, and water quality will probably be similar to those already proposed for commercial oil-shale systems. The costs of these systems could range from about $1.20 to $2.45 per barrel of oil produced. Estimates of potential pollution-emisson levels affecting land, air, and water were calculated from available data related to current surface and in situ tar-sand field experiments in the US. These data were then extrapolated to determine pollutant levels expected from conceptual commercial surface and in situ facilities producing 20,000 bbl/d. The likelihood-of-occurrence of these impacts was then assessed. Experience from other industries, including information concerning health and ecosystem damage from air pollutants, measurements of ground-water transport of organic pollutants, and the effectiveness of environmental-control technologies was used to make this assessment.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6093147
• Report Number(s): UCRL-53210; ON: DE82003756
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
041000 -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Environmental Aspects
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
294004* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Oil Shales & Tar Sands
AIR POLLUTION
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CONTROL
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
INDUSTRY
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LAND USE
MATERIALS
MINING
OIL SAND INDUSTRY
OIL SAND MINING
OIL SANDS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL
RECOMMENDATIONS
REGULATIONS
RISK ASSESSMENT
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
WATER POLLUTION