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TitleLife cycle greenhouse gas emissions of current oil sands technologies: Surface mining and in situ applications
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2012
AuthorsSleep, S.
Volume46
Issue14
Pagination9 pages
Date Published07/2012
PublisherEnvironmental Science & Technology
Publication Languageeng
KeywordsCCS, CO2, GHG, in-situ, model, modeling, UofC
Abstract

Life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with two major recovery and extraction processes currently utilized in Alberta's oil sands, surface mining and in situ, are quantified. Process modules are developed and integrated into a life cycle model-GHOST (GreenHouse gas emissions of current Oil Sands Technologies) developed in prior work. Recovery and extraction of bitumen through surface mining and in situ processes result in 3-9 and 9-16 g CO(2)eq/MJ bitumen, respectively; upgrading emissions are an additional 6-17 g CO(2)eq/MJ synthetic crude oil (SCO) (all results are on a HHV basis). Although a high degree of variability exists in well-to-wheel emissions due to differences in technologies employed, operating conditions, and product characteristics, the surface mining dilbit and the in situ SCO pathways have the lowest and highest emissions, 88 and 120 g CO(2)eq/MJ reformulated gasoline. Through the use of improved data obtained from operating oil sands projects, we present ranges of emissions that overlap with emissions in literature for conventional crude oil. An increased focus is recommended in policy discussions on understanding interproject variability of emissions of both oil sands and conventional crudes, as this has not been adequately represented in previous studies

URLhttp://www.cpans.org/assets/Uploads/Presentations/NewFolder/Session-13Sylvia-Sleep.pdf
Locational Keywords

Alberta oil sands

Active Link

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/800465013

Group

OSEMB

Citation Key52777

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