Table of Contents
Where are the tar sands in Canada?
northeastern Alberta
The Athabasca oil sands, also known as the Athabasca tar sands, are large deposits of bitumen or extremely heavy crude oil, located in northeastern Alberta, Canada – roughly centred on the boomtown of Fort McMurray.
What does oil sands do to the environment?
Tar sands extraction emits up to three times more global warming pollution than does producing the same quantity of conventional crude. It also depletes and pollutes freshwater resources and creates giant ponds of toxic waste. Refining the sticky black substance produces piles of petroleum coke, a hazardous by-product.
What impacts have the Canadian oil sands had on First Nations communities?
In specific, the oil sands economy has a significant positive economic impact on local indigenous communities. In general, indigenous involvement in oil and gas extraction and pipelines correlates positively with less dependency on government transfers, lower unemployment, and higher incomes.
How big is the Alberta oil sands?
Geography. Alberta’s oil sands lie beneath 142,200 km² of land in the following areas of Northern Alberta: Athabasca. Cold Lake.
Why are tar sands called dirty oil?
Tar sands oil — even the name sounds bad. And it is bad. In fact, oil from tar sands is one of the most destructive, carbon-intensive and toxic fuels on the planet. Producing it releases three times as much greenhouse gas pollution as conventional crude oil does.
How Aboriginal people have benefited from the oil sands?
The oil sands industry works closely with Indigenous peoples in support of economic security and well-being in their communities. The industry also provides significant opportunities for Indigenous- owned businesses, entrepreneurs and individual community members to supply goods and services to oil sands companies.
What do the first nations think of the oil sands?
Cultural Consensus Analysis was conducted with aboriginal residents in the oil sands regions of Alberta. 87% of respondents believe that oil sands development has contaminated the Peace and Athabasca rivers. Important regional differences were observed.
Does Canada refine tar sands?
Bitumen is the heavy unconventional oil found in the Alberta tar sands (also called oil sands). Only a specialized refinery can process bitumen and turn it into refined products such as fuels. Few refineries in Canada can do it. None of the refineries in eastern Canada can refine large quantities of bitumen.
Can you make gasoline from tar sands?
On a lifetime basis, a gallon of gasoline made from tar sands produces about 15% more carbon dioxide emissions than one made from conventional oil. This important difference is attributable to the energy intensive extraction, upgrading, and refining process. Mining versus in situ tar sands extraction.
Can gas be made from tar sands?
On a lifetime basis, a gallon of gasoline made from tar sands produces about 15% more carbon dioxide emissions than one made from conventional oil. This important difference is attributable to the energy intensive extraction, upgrading, and refining process.
What is the meaning of tar sands?
Tar sands (also known as oil sands) are a mixture of mostly sand, clay, water, and a thick, molasses-like substance called bitumen. Bitumen is made of hydrocarbons—the same molecules in liquid oil—and is used to produce gasoline and other petroleum products.