“The gamut of relevant topics – bitumen chemistry, deposit information for extra heavy oil, upgrading technologies, transportation configurations, and the prospects for the alternatives – are all dealt with using a clear, engaging, and (usually) surprisingly readable writing style.”

Unlike conventional oil resources, “unconventional oil” resources have been known to exist only for the last few decades and are available in limited areas of the world. The most commonly known “unconventional oils”—oil sands, heavy oil, and bitumen—are found primarily in the western United States, Canada, and Venezuela. Only recently has serious consideration has been given to North American resources for meeting the increasing demands for transportation fuel.

Dr. Banerjee discusses the importance of these unconventional oils and provides an introduction for those beginning their journey in the still unexplored unconventional hydrocarbon resources of the world.

This book is an important educational tool for anyone in the petroleum industry—whether upstream, downstream, or pipeline—who would like to learn the fundamentals of the most commonly known unconventional oils: oil sands, heavy oil, and bitumen.

Contents

• Illustrations
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction
• The Chemistry of Bitumen
• Analytical Techniques
• Recovery to Refinery
• Bitumen Production and Recovery
• Transportation of Heavy Oil/Bitumen
• Upgrading of Heavy Oil/Bitumen
• Potential Heavy Oil—Upgrading Technologies
• Upgrader Project Scenarios and the Future of Clean-Bitumen Technology
• Challenges Facing Conventional Refineries Using Unconventional Oil
• Final Thought—Going Green
• Appendix A: Glossary
• Appendix B: Various Fractions of Petroleum Crude Oil
• Appendix C: Additional Reading
• Appendix D: Collaborators