Sub-Product

A typical Oil Sands deposit in Alberta contains on average about 10% Bitumen, 5% Water and 85% Solids, mostly in the form of coarse Silica Sand. Oil Sands also contain fine solids and clays, typically in the range of 10 to 30% by weight. Bitumen are produced from the Oil Sands via an Extraction Process. They contain a significant fraction of complex long chain Hydrocarbon molecules known as Asphaltenes. These highly complex molecules make Bitumen sticky, viscous and almost rock-solid at room temperatures. Asphaltene content can vary from 10% to over 20%, depending on reservoir geology.

Figure 1 - Products from the Oil Sands: Dilbit, Synbit and Synthetic Crude Explained

Source: Oil Sands Magazine, Products from the Oil Sands: Dilbit, Synbit and Synthetic Crude Explained