Tag: OIl Sands
Kevin Taft’s claim for Big Oil-controlled Canadian ‘deep state’ ignores Climate Leadership Plan
Belief in Big Oil “deep state” treads dangerously close to conspiracy theory Has Big Oil subverted democracy and installed a polite version of the “deep state” – a state within a state intended to further industry’s interests at the expense of pubic interests – in Canada? Are public institutions in Alberta “captured” by the Petroleum […]
Indigenous participation key to renewed oil sands monitoring agreement
Some Indigenous communities withdrew from Joint Oil Sands Monitoring agreement in 2014 over treaty rights Canada and Alberta signed a memorandum of understanding Thursday that renews environmental monitoring of oil sands production in northern Alberta and provides for greater Indigenous involvement in monitoring priorities and decisions. Catherine McKenna, Canada’s minister of environment and climate change, and […]
Heavy oil processing, refining investment remains a challenge for Alberta oil sands – IHS study
Prospects for upgrading to full synthetic crude remain most challenged, according to IHS Despite market changes, including some to the benefit of heavy oil processing in recent years, challenges still remain for investing in new heavy oil processing capacity in North America, according to a new study by IHS Markit. A New Look: Extracting Value […]
Podcast: Plunging oil sands production costs explained, with Kevin Birn of IHS MarkIt
In situ cash operating costs now $7-8/b, set to drop another 20-30% over next decade My guest on this Markham On Energy podcast is someone I interview regularly about the Alberta oil sands, especially to explain the economics of an industry that is difficult for outsiders to understand. Kevin Birn is the IHS MarkIt director of […]
CNRL to boost Alberta oil sands production 50% in 2018
2018 production targeted between 1,090,000 BOE/d and 1,170,000 BOE/d Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. announced its 2018 budget, with a capital investment of $4.3 billion, $500 million less than 2017, and a 50 per cent increase in oil sands production, according to a press release. “Canadian Natural’s transition to a long life low decline asset base is […]
‘The era of oil is not yet over’ says IEA, but is it time for a new Alberta oil strategy?
Partially upgrading every barrel of oil sands bitumen could make Alberta much more competitive in US markets Oil’s not going anywhere in a hurry, according to the International Energy Agency in its new World Energy Outlook. Not even widespread adoption of electric vehicles puts a dent in oil consumption before 2040. But the big news […]
Oil sands radio frequency tech gets $10 million funding boost from governments
New technology has potential to reduce GHG emissions 50-100%, replace SAGD Acceleware Ltd. announced it has received a $10 million non-repayable contribution to complete a commercial-scale field test of its ground-breaking clean energy technology – which uses radio frequency waves to generate heat – for bitumen and heavy oil extraction. The contribution is contingent on […]
Big Data and analytics part of technology push by Cenovus – Part 2
Cenovus opex costs already under $9/b, can it be reduced another 20% to 30%? In Part 1 of this column on Cenovus Energy, I reported on the company’s drive to lower it operating costs by substituting light hydrocarbon solvents for steam generated by burning natural gas. In Part 2, I’ll look at how Cenovus is […]
Cenovus dramatically lowering SAGD production costs thanks to new technology – Part 1
Substituting solvents for steam could lower costs, GHG emissions by 34% to 40%, says CERI They say a year is a lifetime in politic. For Cenovus Energy, it’s only been six months since the Calgary-based oil sands giant was vilified for spending $17.7 billion to buy ConocoPhillips’ oil sands and Deep Basin assets. The company’s […]
Husky Oil applies for a $400 million, 10,000 barrels a day oil sands project
Suncor recently applied for a 40,000 oil sands project The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) received an Oil Sands Conservation Act application and Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act application from Husky Oil Operations Limited, according to a press release. Husky Oil Operations Limited applied to construct, operate, and reclaim the McMullen Willow Creek Project just south of […]
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