Oil sands are a mixture of sand, water, clay and bitumen (oil).
The Canadian oil sands region is home to an estimated 173 billion
barrels of oil, or about 97% of Canada's total oil reserves.
Shallow oil sand deposits (up to 75 metres deep) make up about
20% of the reserves. They are accessed via open mines. Many heavy
equipment operators are needed to operate the shovels that collect
the oil sands and drive the enormous oil sands trucks from the mine
site to the processing facility.
Close to 80% of oil sands reserves are located too far below the
surface for mining. Wells are drilled for this oil, just like wells
in the conventional oil industry, but more help is needed to get
the bitumen to flow up the wellbore.
Because the oil is so thick, sophisticated technologies,
like Steam
Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD), are used to help the oil flow
to the surface.
As conventional sources of energy begin to decline, the Canadian
oil sands will become a significant source of global energy for
future generations. By 2020, more than 80% of Canada's future oil
production is expected to come from the oil sands. The oil sands in
Canada are found in Alberta - in the
Athabasca, Peace River and Cold Lake regions - covering nearly
140,200* square kilometres.
For more oil sands information, visit:
- Alberta Oil Sands
Government of Alberta oilsands industry website.
- Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers
(CAPP)
Represents exploration and production companies, many of which are
active in the oil sands.
- Canada Oil
Sands Forum
CAPP initiative to listen and respond more effectively to concerns
about the environmental and social impacts of developing Canada's
oil sands.
- Centre for Energy Oil Sands and Heavy
Oil
Overview of oil sands.
- Fort McMurray Labour Market Information
Jobs, salaries and working and living conditions of the Fort
McMurray, Alberta area.
- Government of
Alberta: Energy
Development of energy and mineral resources in Alberta.
- Government of Alberta - Oil Sands Sustainable
Development Secretariat
Addresses the social, infrastructure, environmental and economic
impacts of oil sands development. It acts as a main point of
contact for inquiries from the public, industry and stakeholders on
managing growth in the oil sands.
- In Situ Oil Sands Alliance (IOSA)
IOSA is an alliance of emerging in situ oil sands developers, with
the primary goal of managing the responsible development of the oil
sands.
- Oil Sands Developers
Group
Accurate, credible information about Athabasca oil sands
activity.
- Oil Sands
Discovery Centre
A brief history of the oil sands region, along with some fact
sheets about oil sands recovery and processing.
- Setting the Record Straight
Blog featuring Oil Sands Developers Group President Don Thompson,
sharing thoughts and facts about the development of Canada's oil
sands.
Interested in working in the oil sands? You
have a huge range of career options! Check out: