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Ionic liquid-enhanced solvent extraction for oil sands bitumen shows high recovery rates, less water use and no tailing water

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Researchers from Tianjin University and the National Engineering Research Centre for Distillation Technology, Tianjin, China, report on the use of an ionic liquid (IL) with low viscosity to enhance bitumen recovery from oil sands by solvent extraction while reducing adverse impacts in the ACS journal Energy & Fuels.

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SwRI, UTSA researchers show biochar is low-cost, effective method to treat fracking water

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Researchers at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) and The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) have determined that biochar, a substance produced from plant matter, is a safe, effective and inexpensive method to treat flowback water following hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. —Maoqi Feng, SwRI.

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UT Austin to lead $58M study of methane hydrate in Gulf of Mexico; $41M from DOE

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Methane hydrate—natural gas trapped in an ice-like cage of water molecules—occurs in both terrestrial and marine environments. Post-cruise analyses will determine the in situ concentrations, the physical properties, the lithology, and the thermodynamic state of methane hydrate bearing sand reservoirs.

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EPA Initiates Hydraulic Fracturing Study, Seeks Input from Science Advisory Board

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The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will conduct a comprehensive research study to investigate the potential adverse impact that hydraulic fracturing may have on water quality and public health. Hydraulic fracturing is emerging as an important technology in accessing natural gas.

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Chevron leveraging information technology to optimize thermal production of heavy oil with increased recovery and reduced costs

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Chevron’s focus on optimizing the thermal management of the Kern River field has resulted in a steady drop in the steam:oil ratio (barrels steam water per barrel oil), resulting in improved economics of the field even with slowly declining production. Data: California DOGGR. Click to enlarge. Source: Chevron. Click to enlarge.

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Canada Launches Algal Biofuels Project

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Preliminary work and engineering plans have been drawn up to build a 50,000 liter (13,209 gallon US) cultivation pilot plant at the Ketch Harbour facility. For dewatering the company has agreements in place with two technology providers and, through inVentures, has access to an organic sieve technology for removing water from the algae oil.

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Excelsior to Pilot Proprietary in Situ Combustion Bitumen Recovery Process

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Excelsior Energy Limited plans to test a proprietary in situ combustion bitumen-recovery process (Combustion Overhead Gravity Drainage, COGD) in a pilot project at its Hangingstone oil sands property in Alberta, Canada. Excelsior developed the COGD process in cooperation with Hot-Tec Energy Inc.,

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