Bitumens, asphalts, and tar sands (eBook)

Front Cover 1
Bitumens, Asphalts and Tar Sands 4
Copyright Page 5
Contents 10
Foreword 8
Contributors 9
Chapter 1. Introduction: Organic Matter and Origin of Oil and Tar Sands 14
An Overview of the Potential of Tar Sands 24
Origin of Oil and Gas 14
Tar Sands 22
Acknowledgment 24
References 26
Chapter 2. Geochemistry and Origin of Natural Heavy-Oil Deposits 30
Introduction 30
Current Concepts of Petroleum Formation and Alteration 30
Diagnostic Characteristics of Heavy Oils 34
References 37
Chapter 3. Thermal Evolution of Natural Asphalts 40
Introduction 40
Geochemical Properties of Natural Asphalts 41
Concept of Artificial Maturation 44
Results of In-Vitro Experiments 47
Geochemical Implications 61
Conclusions 66
References 66
Chapter 4. Mojor Tar-Sand Deposits of the World 70
Introduction 70
Geology of the Major Tar Sands of the World 73
Stratigraphic-Trap Deposits 92
Structural–Stratigraphic-Trap Deposits 92
Structural-Trap Deposits 93
Athabasca, Edna, Sisquoc and Santa Rosa Deposits 94
Selenizza (Albania) and Derna (Rumania) Deposits 95
Other World Occurrences 95
Stage of Commercial Development 96
Acknowledgment 97
References 97
Chapter 5. Athabasca Tar Sands: Occurrence and Commercial Projects 99
Introduction 99
Occurrence 99
History of Commercial Development 103
Commercial Projects 113
Conclusions 121
References 125
Bibliography 126
Addendum 126
Chapter 6. Thermal Cracking of Athabasca Bitumen 129
Introduction 129
Thermal Upgrading of the Bitumen 130
Product Properties 142
Commercial Upgradings of the Bitumen to a Synthetic Crude Oil 148
Acknowledgment 156
References 156
Chapter 7. Properties and Structure of Bitumens 161
Introduction 161
Properties of Bitumens 162
Structure of Bitumens 168
Conclusions 192
Acknowledgment 193
References 193
Chapter 8. In-Situ Recovery of Oil from Oil Sands 197
Introduction 197
Properties of Major Tar-Sand Deposits 198
General Review of In-Situ Recovery Techniques 199
Cyclic Steam Injection 204
Combination of Heating by Steam and Emulsification (Shell Process) 209
Steam Injection combined with various additives 209
Steam Injection in the Bottom-Water Zone 210
Stimulation by Combustion 211
Forward Combustion 211
Heating by Dry Combustion by Fire-Water Flooding (Amoco Process) 213
Combination of Steam and Combustion 214
Reverse Combustion 214
Solvent or Diluent Injection 215
Conclusions 216
References 217
Chapter 9. Vanadium: Key to Venezuelan Fossil Hydrocarbons 219
Introduction 219
Geology and Geochemistry 219
Ecology 225
Petroleum Economics 226
First- and Second-Generation Petroleum Refining 228
Third-Generation Petroleum Refining 233
Fourth-Generation HDM—HDS—CC Units 234
Combustion, Gasification, and Stack Desulfurization 237
Metallurgy 240
Acknowledgment 244
References 244
Chapter 10. Role of Asphaltene in Refining 249
Introduction 249
Role of Asphaltenes in Refining 249
Process for Conversion of Asphaltenes to Oil-Soluble Materials 253
H2 Content and H2 Uptake 261
References 263
Chapter 11. Formation Evaluation of Tar Sands Using Geophysical Well-Logging Techniques 265
Introduction to Geophysical Well Logging 265
Geophysical Well Logs for Tar-Sand Evaluation 266
Basic Considerations in Formation Evaluation of Tar Sands 269
Core-Analysis Procedures 269
Tar-Sand Evaluation Using Geophysical Well Logs 272
Conclusions 280
Acknowledgment 280
References and Bibliography 280
Appendix I. Government Policy Statement with Respect to Oil-Sand Development - Part 1 (October 1962) 283
Appendix II. Government Policy Statement with Respect to Oil-Sand Development - Part 2 (February 1968) 284
Appendix III. Order-in-Council No. 244/72 288
Appendix IV. Syncrude Letter 289
Appendix V. Amended Syncrude Letter 297
Appendix VI. Fracturing of Reservoir Rocks 302
Introduction 302
Hydraulic Fracturing 303
Nuclear Fracturing 309
References 311
References Index 313
Subject Index 321