Oil sands refinement involves a multi-step process to convert bitumen into usable petroleum products. The process starts by getting bitumen out of the oil sands and culminates in refining it into final products.
The Refining Process
The refining of oil sands involves three key stages:
- Extraction: The first step involves removing the bitumen from the oil sands. There are two main methods for extracting bitumen. Approximately half of the bitumen is extracted through in-situ methods and the other half by surface mining.
- Upgrading or Dilution: Once extracted, the bitumen needs to be processed into a more easily transportable and marketable form. This is done by either upgrading the bitumen, or diluting it.
- Refining: After the bitumen has been upgraded or diluted, it can be sent to a traditional oil refinery where the heavy crude is refined into final products such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.
Breakdown of Each Stage
Bitumen Extraction
- Surface Mining: Used when the oil sands are close to the surface. The oil sands are excavated and transported to an extraction plant.
- In-Situ Extraction: This method involves injecting steam or solvents into the oil sands to lower the viscosity of the bitumen so it can be pumped out.
- Examples of in-situ methods include Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS) and Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD).
Upgrading or Dilution
- Upgrading: This involves processing the bitumen to remove carbon and add hydrogen, converting the heavy bitumen to a lighter form.
- Dilution: This method involves thinning the bitumen by blending it with a diluent to lower its viscosity. This process prepares the bitumen for transport.
Refining of Bitumen
- Fractional Distillation: Once the diluted or upgraded bitumen arrives at a refinery, it goes through fractional distillation, a key step in the refining process.
- Cracking and Reforming: Additional processes like cracking and reforming break down larger hydrocarbon molecules into smaller ones and rearrange their structure to produce a variety of refined products.
Summary of the Oil Sands Refining Process
| Step | Description | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Extraction | Bitumen is separated from the oil sands. | Obtaining bitumen from the oil sands |
| Upgrading/Dilution | Bitumen is processed or diluted for easier transportation and to be a marketable crude. | Making bitumen transportable and preparing it for refining. |
| Refining | The processed bitumen is refined into various petroleum products. | Converting bitumen to gasoline, diesel, and other end products. |
