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

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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.

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

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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. Trends in well-to-wheel pathway-specific CI. Click to enlarge. Englander et al.

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CO2 Solutions’ enzymatic carbon capture technology performance exceeds targets in oil sands project

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an innovator in the field of enzyme-enabled carbon capture technology, announced that it has exceeded the second set of technical performance milestones for its oil sands project. Canada-based CO 2 Solutions Inc., Carbonic anhydrase is the most powerful catalyst known for the hydration of CO 2 —i.e., Nathalie J.M.C.

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Cenovus receives approval for Grand Rapids oil sands project; capacity to reach 180,000 bbls/d

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received approval from the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) for its 100%-owned Grand Rapids thermal oil sands project. Once a decision is made to proceed with Grand Rapids, Cenovus will be able to rely on existing infrastructure, including roads, power and camps at its Pelican Lake conventional heavy oil operation.

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U. Calgary analysis of energy balances and emissions of SAGD oil sands production finds need for improved processes; some operations not thermally efficient or net generators of energy

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Plot of cumulative steam-to-oil ratio (cSOR) vs. ratio of energy produced in form of chemical energy contained in bitumen if combusted to energy injected in form of steam (75% efficient steam generation). From Gates and Larter (2013). One of the key challenges in producing bitumen and heavy oil is their high, variable viscosity.

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Consortium completes successful test of new oil sands recovery process using electromagnetic heating technology

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A technology and energy production consortium has successfully completed initial proof-of-concept testing of a novel oil sands extraction method that has the potential to improve environmental performance and reduce development costs. The consortium of Laricina Energy, Nexen Inc., Approximately 1.6

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New lifecycle analysis of WTW GHG emissions of diesel and gasoline refined in US from Canadian oil sands crude

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In a new, comprehensive study, a team from Argonne National Laboratory, Stanford University and UC Davis ITS has estimated the well-to-wheels (WTW) GHG emissions of US production of gasoline and diesel sourced from Canadian oil sands. g CO 2 e/MJ for US conventional crude oil recovery. This range can be compared to ∼4.4

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