28 PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY, ECONOMICS, AND POLITICS
Nevertheless, whatever numbers are used, bitumen in tar sand
deposits represent a potentially large supply of energy (Chapter 2).
However, many of these reserves are only available with some difficulty and optional refinery scenarios will be necessary for conversion of these materials to low-sulfur liquid products because of the
substantial differences in character between conventional petroleum and tar sand bitumen. Bitumen recovery requires the prior
application of reservoir fracturing procedures before the introduction of thermal recovery methods. Currently, commercial operations in Canada use mining techniques for bitumen recovery.
Even though tar sand deposits are widely distributed throughout the world (Speight, 1990, 2007), the fact that commercialization
has taken place in Canada does not mean that commercialization
is imminent for other tar sands deposits. There are considerable
differences between the Canadian and the US deposits that could
preclude across-the-board application of the Canadian principles
to the US sands (Speight, 1990). Whilst Canadian scientist and
engineers know much about the Athabasca (Alberta) deposits, the
knowledge is not generally applicable to other deposits — the key
is site specificity in terms of accessibility and recoverability.
1.5 References
Abraham, H. 1945. Asphalts and Allied Substances. Van Nostrand,
New York.
Armstrong, S.M., Sankey, B.M., and Voordouw, G. 1997. Fuel. 76: 223.
Barton, G.A. 1926. On Binding-reeds, Bitumen, and Other Commodities in
Ancient Babylonia. J. Amer. Orient. Soc. 46: 297-302.
Bauer, G. (Georgius Agrícola) (1546). Book IV, De Natura Fossilium, Basel,
Switzerland.
Bauer, G. (Georgius Agrícola) (1556). Book XII, De Re Metallica, Basel.
Bell, H. S. (1945). American Petroleum Refining, van Nostrand, New York.
Boyle, G. (Editor). 1996. Renewable Energy: Power for a Sustainable
Future. Oxford University Press, Oxford, England.
Cobb, C., and Goldwhite, H. 995. Creations of Fire: Chemistry's Lively
History from Alchemy to the Atomic Age. Plenum Press, New York.
Cook, A. B., and Despard, C. (1927). J. Inst. Petroleum Technol. 13:124.
Dahmus, J. 1995. A History of the Middle Ages. Barnes and Noble, New
York. P. 135 and 136; previously published with the same title by
Doubleday Book Co., 1968.
Da vies, N. 1996. Europe: A History. Oxford University Press. Oxford,
England, p. 245 and 250.
Nevertheless, whatever numbers are used, bitumen in tar sand
deposits represent a potentially large supply of energy (Chapter 2).
However, many of these reserves are only available with some difficulty and optional refinery scenarios will be necessary for conversion of these materials to low-sulfur liquid products because of the
substantial differences in character between conventional petroleum and tar sand bitumen. Bitumen recovery requires the prior
application of reservoir fracturing procedures before the introduction of thermal recovery methods. Currently, commercial operations in Canada use mining techniques for bitumen recovery.
Even though tar sand deposits are widely distributed throughout the world (Speight, 1990, 2007), the fact that commercialization
has taken place in Canada does not mean that commercialization
is imminent for other tar sands deposits. There are considerable
differences between the Canadian and the US deposits that could
preclude across-the-board application of the Canadian principles
to the US sands (Speight, 1990). Whilst Canadian scientist and
engineers know much about the Athabasca (Alberta) deposits, the
knowledge is not generally applicable to other deposits — the key
is site specificity in terms of accessibility and recoverability.
1.5 References
Abraham, H. 1945. Asphalts and Allied Substances. Van Nostrand,
New York.
Armstrong, S.M., Sankey, B.M., and Voordouw, G. 1997. Fuel. 76: 223.
Barton, G.A. 1926. On Binding-reeds, Bitumen, and Other Commodities in
Ancient Babylonia. J. Amer. Orient. Soc. 46: 297-302.
Bauer, G. (Georgius Agrícola) (1546). Book IV, De Natura Fossilium, Basel,
Switzerland.
Bauer, G. (Georgius Agrícola) (1556). Book XII, De Re Metallica, Basel.
Bell, H. S. (1945). American Petroleum Refining, van Nostrand, New York.
Boyle, G. (Editor). 1996. Renewable Energy: Power for a Sustainable
Future. Oxford University Press, Oxford, England.
Cobb, C., and Goldwhite, H. 995. Creations of Fire: Chemistry's Lively
History from Alchemy to the Atomic Age. Plenum Press, New York.
Cook, A. B., and Despard, C. (1927). J. Inst. Petroleum Technol. 13:124.
Dahmus, J. 1995. A History of the Middle Ages. Barnes and Noble, New
York. P. 135 and 136; previously published with the same title by
Doubleday Book Co., 1968.
Da vies, N. 1996. Europe: A History. Oxford University Press. Oxford,
England, p. 245 and 250.