Upgrading the tarsands products: bitumen to refined oil products : the link to petrochemicals

The author displays a graph of bitumen and conventional reserves by regions of the world to better illustrate bitumen reserves. The various processes of bitumen monetization schemes are presented, followed by a graph depicting bitumen production plans. Under the market realities heading, the author explores the potential demand for bitumen-based feedstock in natural markets and displays several graphs in support. The United States product imports are expected to grow. The Alberta petrochemical potential is reviewed, showing a graph of gas reserves by regions of the world and discussing synthetic crude production and petrochemical feedstock production. The economic drivers include selecting lowest cost feedstock, minimizing operating cost, high capital efficiency, supply, process and market risk mitigation, and power of size. Several graphs are shown in support of bitumen, refined oil, petrochemical links. The author concludes with a few statements: (1) tarsands products are an abundant low cost feedstock, (2) market constrains synthetic and bitumen-based crudes sales, (3) refined oil products enhance market access at higher value, (4) upgrading and refining bitumen yields significant olefin production in isolation, and (5) integration with petrochemicals adds significant value retained in Alberta. refs., figs