What Are The Canadian Oil Sands?
The Canadian oil sands are more properly the Athabasca Oil Sands. This is a deposit of oil rich bitumen in the northern portion of Alberta Canada. The oil sands contain bitumen, which is a very thick, heavy crude oil. It is a semi solid form of crude oil. The mixture here also contains clay minerals, silica sand and water, mixed together to form one of the largest pockets of usable crude oil in the world. For this reason, it is heavily desired.
There are three large deposits in the Alberta region, of which the Athabasca oil sands are the largest. Located in the same region you will find two other large deposits called the Peace River deposit and the Cold Lake deposit. The three combined provide some 54,000 square miles of forest with a unique opportunity. Because this type of oil is so highly valued, it has become a interesting location, with people from around the world interested in making the most of it.
The Canadian oil sands are located in an area that is sparsely populated, but is heavily forested. There are peat bogs and boreal forest areas throughout the region. One of the key factors for those considering mining this oil is the environmental impact it will have on the region. For this reason, the Canadian government has taken a close look at the area and any investments are under careful consideration.
Perhaps the most interesting of all aspects about the Canadian oil sands is the sheer amount of crude oil located here. It is an estimate that there are about 1.7 trillion barrels of bitumen located here. This is such a large supply that it is only second in the world to Saudi Arabia. Of the amount of crude oil located here, an estimate can be in use. Based on costs and on technology available, people could effectively mine that limited amount.
The Canadian oil sands are a highly valuable piece of property and because of their location, unique layout and of course the valuable bitumen that is located underground, there is no doubt that it will become a major investment area for people from around the world. To the people of Canada and the United States, it could become one of the best ways for these countries to stop being dependent on the rich oil deposits in the war torn regions of the world such as the Middle East. Still, there is much more to be a consideration before these fields can be safely mined and can provide the oil that is so in demand.
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