Oil sand production and processing. Technology, economy, environmental aspects. 2. ed.

The nearing decline in global oil production with all its consequences gives rise to the question as to possible alternative technologies, both on the application and the supply side. What contribution can come from a more efficient use of oil? What other liquid fuels can replace today's supply of crude oil? What role will unconventional oil resources play in the future? What quantities of oil can be made available from these reserves and over which time horizons? What restrictions exist on their exploitation? The purpose of the present study was to examine these questions for the example of one of the most significant alternative technologies on the supply side, namely that of unconventional oil resources. Since unconventional oil resources are very heterogeneous in terms of deposit characteristics, oil quality and exploitation technologies, the present study was restricted to a single type, namely that of oil sand extraction. This is currently the furthest developed unconventional oil resource both technically and economically, making it an ideal choice for a case study on the opportunities and risks of unconventional oil resources.