The Development of Oil Sands in Alberta
The Development of Oil Sands in Alberta
Instructor: Dan Murray
Yifan Wang
University of Waterloo
15, February, 2013
Summary
A controversy around the development of oil sands in Alberta is developed in this report. Potential factors of its development, including economic, social, and environmental factors, are taken into consideration. All the information contained in this report is retrieved from other materials, such as peer review, journals, government reports, and online news. All the points mentioned in this report are supported by experts and government. Basic information about oil sands and background information are first introduced. Economic and social benefits and three main environmental effects are listed in the report. Several new technologies and regulations are recommended to be adapted into the development of oil sands. Some regulations are suggested to manage and monitor the behaviors of companies in the process of exploration and extraction.
Table of content I. Introduction 1 II. Background 1 III. Benefits and costs of oil sands 2 3.1. Economic growth 2 3.2. Social benefits 3 3.3. Environmental issues 5 IV. Implications 7 V. Conclusion 8 VI. Reference 10
I. Introduction
In the kingdom of energy, coal is gradually losing its position as the most used energy resource in the world. On the contrary, oil has become one of the most significant energy resources in people’s life. Meanwhile, researchers have found many other natural resources that can become substitutes of oil. Oil sands are one of these resources. “The oil sands are a thick, viscous mixture of bitumen hydrocarbons combined with water, sand, heavy metals and clay” (Alberta Canada, 2012). A great controversy between the economic and social benefits and environmental costs of oil sands has been developed for a long time. From a comprehensive perspective, the development of oil sands should be recommended and encouraged. It will benefit the
Instructor: Dan Murray
Yifan Wang
University of Waterloo
15, February, 2013
Summary
A controversy around the development of oil sands in Alberta is developed in this report. Potential factors of its development, including economic, social, and environmental factors, are taken into consideration. All the information contained in this report is retrieved from other materials, such as peer review, journals, government reports, and online news. All the points mentioned in this report are supported by experts and government. Basic information about oil sands and background information are first introduced. Economic and social benefits and three main environmental effects are listed in the report. Several new technologies and regulations are recommended to be adapted into the development of oil sands. Some regulations are suggested to manage and monitor the behaviors of companies in the process of exploration and extraction.
Table of content I. Introduction 1 II. Background 1 III. Benefits and costs of oil sands 2 3.1. Economic growth 2 3.2. Social benefits 3 3.3. Environmental issues 5 IV. Implications 7 V. Conclusion 8 VI. Reference 10
I. Introduction
In the kingdom of energy, coal is gradually losing its position as the most used energy resource in the world. On the contrary, oil has become one of the most significant energy resources in people’s life. Meanwhile, researchers have found many other natural resources that can become substitutes of oil. Oil sands are one of these resources. “The oil sands are a thick, viscous mixture of bitumen hydrocarbons combined with water, sand, heavy metals and clay” (Alberta Canada, 2012). A great controversy between the economic and social benefits and environmental costs of oil sands has been developed for a long time. From a comprehensive perspective, the development of oil sands should be recommended and encouraged. It will benefit the