Q:
Where are the oil sands located?
A:
Oil sands and oil shale deposits
are found all over the world. In fact, there are 16 major
oil sands deposits that have been found by geologists world-wide.
The two largest are the Athabasca Oil Sands in northern
Alberta and the Orinoco River deposit in Venezuela. The
Athabasca Oil Sands is just one of several deposits found
in Canada. There is a major oil sands deposit on Melville
Island in the Canadian Arctic and three other smaller deposits
in northern Alberta: the Peace River, Wabasca and Cold Lake
deposits. In total, the Athabasca Oil Sands alone cover
an area of more than 42,000 square kilometres!
No
two oil sands deposits are exactly alike and each presents
its own specific challenges in separating the oil from sand
and other materials. Problems include climatic conditions,
remote locations, environmental concerns, and the costs
of producing oil.
