About the Industry

Oil Sands

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.

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