During 1980 Atomic Energy of Canada Limited intensified one aspect of its search for process heat applications for CANDU nuclear reactors. In working partnership with a number of Alberta-based companies, a study team assessed the technical and economic feasibility of using a nuclear reactor to raise the production steam for the recovery of bitumen. The study followed several years of analysis by AECL which identified oil sands projects as the most appropriate single users of thermal energy of the amount and quality available from reactors.
Technically sound concept shave been identified for using CANDU reactors for the in-situ recovery of bitumen from oil sands. Over the life of an oil sands project a steam supply system based on a nuclear reactor is expected to offer a substantial cost advantage (25 - 50%) over the alternative system based on coal as the make-up fuel. Steam from natural gas is marginally more expensive than that from coal because the ccst of natural gas is expected to escalate at a rate higher than inflation. For shallow deposits (150 - 250 metres) using intermediate pressure steam, the commercially proven Pressurized Heavy Water (PHW) reactor is most suitable. For deeper deposits (250 - 650 metres), the PHW reactor can provide the higher pressure steam using a compressor, but only with a reduction in thermal efficiency that substantially reduces its cost advantage. The CANDU Organic Cooled Reactor (OCR), however, can provide the high pressure steam required with the large cost advantage.
The economic benefit offered by nuclear steam supply systems, a saving of $2-4 per barrel of product, is large enough to justify the commitment of a more detailed study. Such a study, which should involve Alberta participants, would provide more information on a number of topics identified in this report. It is likely a study would confirm the attractiveness of the concept and define opportunities for demonstration.