Instead of Open pit mining, developers have discovered a new way to mine called the in-situ techniques. Using drilling, they inject steam deposit to heat the oil sand lowering the viscosity of the bitumen. It then rises to the surface. Petro Canada has invested more than 200 million dollars toward in-situ research. This is major steps towards the efficiency of thermal oil sands production.
For more information check out www.petrocanada.com or www.oilsandsdiscovery.com
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
More on the Environment
So I received a couple of environmentally concerned comments, so I have a few things to say.
- With today's technology 173 billion barrels of oil have been proven to be recoverable
- Approximately 80% of recovery is through in-situ production (More information on that)
- Oil sands
project have since 1990, reduced their carbon dioxide emissions by 45%
Announcement
Just wanted to tell all my viewers/reader/followers, that we're moving! Well I'm not, but my family is. My Wife and I just purchased an apartment in Fort McMurray, now I will be able to see my family much more often.
She says the kids are excited, and so is she. We just need to work on selling the home or renting it out, that might be hard for the housing boom is more of a bust right now.
I don't think she'll be very happy with the gas prices up here. Today the price is at 99.9.
She says the kids are excited, and so is she. We just need to work on selling the home or renting it out, that might be hard for the housing boom is more of a bust right now.
I don't think she'll be very happy with the gas prices up here. Today the price is at 99.9.
More on Jobs
Alberta is home to thousands of jobs, thanks to the Oil Sands. If You wanted to get a job you could easily receive one. Even if you don't have many qualifications. Employers are so enthused on hiring help that they will provide the training for you. If you are interested in a job there's many to choose from.
If you're interested in construction of oil sands, let me tell you now it a long and confusing process. Mining will never stop, the trucks and equipment work all day and night, and every day of the year.
If You want a job, I would suggest Syncrude Ltd. They are deeply concerned with the environment and having a diverse employee population. There's just some simple requirements like you need to be at least the age of 18 and have a Grade 12 or a college awarded general equivalency diploma or Grade 11 high school diplomas from Quebec and Newfoundland. There will be Pre-employment testing and of course the interview. I was so nervous before my interview, but really as long as you meet the requirements you'll do fine.
There's also bonuses with having a job with Syncrude.
If you're interested in construction of oil sands, let me tell you now it a long and confusing process. Mining will never stop, the trucks and equipment work all day and night, and every day of the year.
If You want a job, I would suggest Syncrude Ltd. They are deeply concerned with the environment and having a diverse employee population. There's just some simple requirements like you need to be at least the age of 18 and have a Grade 12 or a college awarded general equivalency diploma or Grade 11 high school diplomas from Quebec and Newfoundland. There will be Pre-employment testing and of course the interview. I was so nervous before my interview, but really as long as you meet the requirements you'll do fine.
There's also bonuses with having a job with Syncrude.
- There will be a competitive salary
- You get 15-30 days for vacation
- Pension plan options
- Scholarships for employees children
- Health and dental benefits
Monday, November 10, 2008
Economy Of Alberta
The oil industry contributes a large quantity to the economy of Alberta. People often complain about the gas prices. If you think you have it hard, check www.albertagasprices.com.
Today Fort McMurray is number 6 at $100.9. it's that much higher, because the more money people have, the higher the prices are raised. Supply and demand my friends.
About every dollar invested in to the oils sands created $9 worth of economic activity globally and $6 in the Alberta economy. Time Magazine has described it as "Canada's buried treasure" and "could satisfy the worlds demand for petroleum for the next century."
In 2006, Alberta exported about 1.35 million barrels per day of crude oil to the United States, supplying 13% of their crude oil import.
The oil sands are very important to the Alberta economy, and it's proving that environmental protection and economical development can happen together.
Today Fort McMurray is number 6 at $100.9. it's that much higher, because the more money people have, the higher the prices are raised. Supply and demand my friends.
About every dollar invested in to the oils sands created $9 worth of economic activity globally and $6 in the Alberta economy. Time Magazine has described it as "Canada's buried treasure" and "could satisfy the worlds demand for petroleum for the next century."
In 2006, Alberta exported about 1.35 million barrels per day of crude oil to the United States, supplying 13% of their crude oil import.
The oil sands are very important to the Alberta economy, and it's proving that environmental protection and economical development can happen together.
Companies care. They do.
So a lot of people have begun to become very concerned with the environment. I feel sorry for the sad sap who receives the hundreds of protest letters and petitions in our company.
I work for Syncrude, and they are actually trying to make things better, even though it costs them money. Just this March, 2008, the Alberta Government issued its very first reclamation certificate, to none other, but Syncrude Canada Ltd. Since 1990 we have reduced the carbon dioxide emissions by 45%.
I have a friend, Cal Smith, he's a geologist/land surveyor for Talisman Energy Inc. They have just recently started up a new project called The Beatrice Wind Farm Demonstrator Project, costing them about 9 million dollars! So to efficiently power their plants by using a more environmentally friendly energy supplier.
Alberta now has a Alberta Energy Research Institute, which is committed to researching new technologies and innovation programs that will reduce green house gases and consumption of water and gas.
Oil sands do tend to use quite a bit of water, in the process of receiving synthetic crude oil. Using about 350 million cubic meters of water from the Athabasca River.
But the companies ARE working towards a better environment, after 2007, Alberta became the first in North America to legislate Greenhouse gas reductions. In the first years companies made a 2.6 million tonnes of actual reductions. That's like the same as taking 550,000 cars off the roads.
They do what they can, and companies are concerned and are making an effort.
jobs, jobs jobs!
Oil sands are great. they employ nearly 145,000 Albertans, in mining and oil and gas extraction industry. It really is no wonder that Alberta has the lowest unemployment rate in the country, at a 3.7%!
Because of the economic growth, Alberta's oil sands are attracting some of the worlds best and brightest people.
There are thousands of jobs to be filled. designing, brick laying, construction, heavy machines, mechanical, electrical, research development, etc, etc, etc!
I work as a heavy equipment operator. I get to drive the Huge trucks. I transports building materials, like lumber or steel girders. I have to have a CDL training, to transport items with safety. I often transport the oil sands to specialized processing stations so that the crude oil can be extracted.
Employers are so desperate for employees, that you could be hired with little qualifications and training. If you have first aid and any sort of WHMIS training, you could easily be hired. Because of this variety however, the salaries that can be expected can range from a low of $32,000 annually, to a high of $54,000, but pay is usually seasonal and thats only for half a year.
For more information on jobs requirements visit www.jobmonkey.com or www.monster.ca
About Me
So like I said I'm 36, married, and have two kids. Working out in the oil sands keeps me separated from my family quite a bit, for they live in Calgary. I only get to see them about every two weeks, sometimes for even a longer time period.
Though, thanks to technology, I have the ability to talk to my family every day. talking on the cellphone, or sometimes with video conversations over webcam. I still miss them though. At least with this blog, they can see my updates and view in my every day life, here at the oil sands.
Though, thanks to technology, I have the ability to talk to my family every day. talking on the cellphone, or sometimes with video conversations over webcam. I still miss them though. At least with this blog, they can see my updates and view in my every day life, here at the oil sands.
Intro
Hey Everyone out there in Cyber world! My name is Samuel .W. I am 36 years old and work in the North Eastern Alberta Oil Sands, A.K.A. Athabasca Tar sands.
For those who may not know what oil sands are, they are a massive oil production. There's this oil called bitumen found in the sand, a mixture of water, sand and clay, extremely crude oil. These oil sands are so huge you can apparently see them from space! Just check it at google earth! www.googleearth.com
It's pretty prodigious, or at least I think so.
Anyways, Alberta has the second largest reserve of oil in the entire world. (number one is Saudi Arabia).
So once they get the synthetic crude oil, done through a complex series, it sent through underground pipelines and used as jet fuel, gasoline and hundreds of others petroleum products.
For those who may not know what oil sands are, they are a massive oil production. There's this oil called bitumen found in the sand, a mixture of water, sand and clay, extremely crude oil. These oil sands are so huge you can apparently see them from space! Just check it at google earth! www.googleearth.com
It's pretty prodigious, or at least I think so.
Anyways, Alberta has the second largest reserve of oil in the entire world. (number one is Saudi Arabia).
So once they get the synthetic crude oil, done through a complex series, it sent through underground pipelines and used as jet fuel, gasoline and hundreds of others petroleum products.
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