Introduction

This course provides an in-depth understanding of oil sands and heavy oil production, focusing on extraction techniques, environmental impacts, and processing technologies. Participants will explore the unique challenges associated with heavy oil and oil sands, including the need for innovative technologies, sustainability practices, and effective project management.

Objectives

• Understand the fundamentals of oil sands and heavy oil production.
• Learn about extraction and processing methods, including mining and in-situ techniques.
• Explore environmental challenges and sustainable practices in heavy oil production.
• Develop insights into refining and upgrading heavy oil.
• Analyze future trends and technological advancements in oil sands and heavy oil.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

• Engineers, project managers, and geologists in oil sands and heavy oil production.
• Environmental specialists and sustainability officers in energy.
• Policy makers and regulatory professionals in oil and gas.
• Recent graduates interested in unconventional oil production and processing.

Course Outline

Day 1: Fundamentals of Oil Sands and Heavy Oil

• Introduction to Oil Sands and Heavy Oil
  • Overview of oil sands and heavy oil reserves, global distribution
  • Key characteristics and properties of oil sands and heavy oil
• Exploration and Geology of Oil Sands
  • Techniques for identifying and assessing oil sands reserves
  • Geological factors affecting extraction and production feasibility
• Economic Importance of Oil Sands and Heavy Oil
  • Market demand, economic impact, and role in global energy supply
  • Financial considerations and challenges of heavy oil production

Day 2: Extraction and Production Technologies

• Surface Mining of Oil Sands
  • Overview of surface mining techniques for oil sands extraction
  • Equipment and methods for efficient resource extraction and processing
• In-Situ Extraction Techniques
  • Techniques such as Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) and Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS)
  • Comparison of in-situ and mining methods in terms of cost and environmental impact
• New Technologies in Oil Sands and Heavy Oil Extraction
  • Role of solvent-based extraction, thermal technology, and hybrid methods
  • Advances in reducing energy consumption and emissions in extraction processes

Day 3: Processing, Upgrading, and Refining Heavy Oil

• Upgrading and Dilution of Heavy Oil
  • Techniques for upgrading heavy oil to reduce viscosity and improve quality
  • Overview of dilution, coking, and hydroprocessing methods
• Refining Heavy Oil and Oil Sands Bitumen
  • Processing requirements for refining heavy oil into usable products
  • Differences in refining light versus heavy oil and associated challenges
• Pipeline Transportation of Heavy Oil
  • Role of diluents, heated pipelines, and transport alternatives
  • Infrastructure and challenges in transporting heavy oil and bitumen

Day 4: Environmental and Sustainability Challenges

• Environmental Impact of Oil Sands and Heavy Oil Production
  • Managing water usage, tailings, and land reclamation in oil sands mining
  • Addressing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution in heavy oil production
• Sustainable Practices and Innovation
  • Techniques for reducing environmental impact, including carbon capture and utilization
  • Role of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards in heavy oil
• Regulatory Compliance and Public Perception
  • Understanding regulatory frameworks governing oil sands production
  • Strategies for improving community engagement and public perception

Day 5: Case Studies and Future of Oil Sands and Heavy Oil

• Case Studies in Oil Sands and Heavy Oil Projects
  • Analysis of successful oil sands and heavy oil projects
  • Lessons learned in technology adoption, environmental compliance, and efficiency
• Future of Oil Sands and Heavy Oil
  • Trends in decarbonization, innovation in extraction, and process optimization
  • Exploring future market prospects and adaptation to a low-carbon economy
• Final Project: Oil Sands and Heavy Oil Production Strategy
  • Participants develop a production strategy for a hypothetical oil sands project, including extraction, processing, and environmental management
• Preparing for Long-Term Success in Heavy Oil Production
  • Techniques for continuous improvement, sustainability, and regulatory adaptability
  • Role of innovation and market awareness in successful oil sands production