Unconventional Fossil Fuels Flashcards
What is the nature of Tar sands?
A mixture of clay, sand, water and bitumen
How is tar sands extracted?
Tar sands have to be mined and then injected with steam to make the tar less viscous so it can be pumped out
What is Oil shale’s nature?
Oil bearing rocks that are permeable enough to allow the oil to be pumped out drectly
How is oil shale extracted?
Either mined or shale is ignited so that the light oil fractions can be pumped out
What is Shale Gas’s nature?
Natural gas that is trapped in fine-grained sedimentary rock
How is shale gas extracted?
Fracking: pumping water and chemicals to force out the gas
What is the nature of deepwater oil?
Oil and gas that is found well offshore and at considerable oceanic depths
How is deepwater oil extracted?
Drilling takes place from ocean rigs-already underway in Gulf of Mexico and off Brazil
Why is there a change in focus from conventional to unconventional fossil fuels?
Conventional fuel supplies are starting to run out and therefore an alternative source of energy was needed as well as renewable energy
Where is the case study for tar sands?
Alberta, Canada
Give two positive impacts of Canadian tar sands
.The tar sands produce an important alternative source of oil, which could meet North America’s oil needs by 2030
.The revenues generated from tar sands provide vital revenues for both local and national economies
Give a negative impact of tar sand extraction
.It is responsible for a lot of waste-470km2 of Albertas taiga forest has been removed which contributes to greenhouse gases
.Large open scale mining destroys forest and peat bogs
.Caribou populations have declined sharply in areas of oil extraction
.Local Caribou population are expected to become extinct by 2040
What impacts does the extraction of tar sands have on the Carbon Cycle?
.Carbon emissions rise due to their extraction, production and use
.Carbon absorption falls due to deforestation (removal of the Taiga)
How do local communities benefit from the extraction of Tar sands?
.New jobs are created in an area where other employment is limited
.Local businesses benefit from an increase in trade
What negative impacts has the extraction of tar sands had on the local community?
.Fears over pollution in the Athabasca River
.Atmospheric toxins and an increased incidence of rare cancers and auto immune diseases
.There is now a housing crisis as thousands of workers have been shipped in
