article thumbnail

Oil sands company Suncor Energy strengthens its focus on hydrogen and renewable fuels, divesting wind and solar

Green Car Congress

Suncor Energy, a Canadian integrated energy company that is one of the top oil sands producers in the country, will strengthen its focus on hydrogen and renewable fuels to accelerate progress towards its objective to be a net-zero company by 2050. Suncor also plans to divest its wind and solar assets.

Oil-Sands 225
article thumbnail

American Sands Energy announces successful operation of oil sand pilot facility in Utah

Green Car Congress

American Sands Energy Corp., an oil sands exploration and development company operating in the state of Utah, announced the successful operation of its oil sand recovery pilot facility. This is a key differentiator between us and more traditional oil sand companies.

Oil-Sands 306
article thumbnail

Cenovus oil sands production increases 14% in 2013; increasing its rail transport capability

Green Car Congress

increased its oil sands production 14% in 2013, from 89,736 barrels per day in 2013 to 102,500 bbls/day in 2013. The increase in production from the company’s oil sands operations in 2013 was largely driven by its Christina Lake project. Cenovus Energy Inc. Total proved reserves reached almost 2.3

Oil-Sands 252
article thumbnail

Univ. of Calgary team developing nanocatalysts for underground upgrading of heavy oil and bitumen; possible “next generation” of oil sands production

Green Car Congress

Researchers at the University of Calgary are developing ultra-dispersed (UD) nanocatalysts for the in situ upgrading of heavy oil and bitumen from deep reservoirs. One of the challenges of such an approach is the placement of the catalyst deep into the heavy oil plume by transporting a catalyst suspension through the sand medium.

Oil-Sands 358
article thumbnail

China’s CNOOC to acquire Canada-based Nexen for $15.1B; offshore oil and gas, oil sands, and shale gas

Green Car Congress

CNOOC Limited—China’s largest producer of offshore crude oil and natural gas and one of the largest independent oil and gas exploration and production companies in the world—is acquiring all of the Common Shares of Canada-based energy company Nexen Inc. It is the second-largest oil producer in the UK North Sea.

Oil-Sands 325
article thumbnail

Average carbon intensity of oil sands production has dropped ~36% in last 40 years; still 12-24% higher than conventional oil CI

Green Car Congress

In situ production began in 1974, so no value is computable for 1970. The carbon intensity (CI) of Alberta oil sands production has significantly decreased over the last 40 years, according to a new study by a team from Stanford University published as an open access paper in the journal Environmental Research Letters.

Oil-Sands 210
article thumbnail

Understanding the variability of GHG life cycle studies of oil sands production

Green Car Congress

In a paper published in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology , Stanford University assistant professor Adam Brandt reviews a number of recent life cycle assessment (LCA) studies calculating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from oil sands extraction, upgrading, and refining pathways—the results of which vary considerably.

Oil-Sands 225