Alkylation units combine smaller molecules into larger ones. Desulphurization units not on the diagram remove sulphur. Coking units , or cokers, apply high amounts of heat and pressure to break down the molecules in the heaviest streams in smaller molecules, leaving petroleum coke as a bi-product. Products from a coking unit include butanes, naphtha, diesel, and petroleum coke which can be used in place of coal for some industries, like power generation and steelmaking.
In order to process heavy oil, which is most of the oil produced in Canada, refineries require a coking unit. However, few Canadian refineries have cokers, which means most Canadian heavy oil must be exported. For more on the Canadian refining industry, please see the Canadian Refinery Overview Please help us by completing this survey.
Currently, most in situ operations use steam-assisted gravity drainage SAGD , which uses well pairs two wells, an injection well and a production well, drilled one above the other to recover bitumen. The injection well is drilled vertically into the deposit, then turned 90 degrees and drilled horizontally.
A second well, known as the production well, is drilled deeper than the first, paralleling the horizontal portion of the first well. Steam is injected into the deposit through the upper well. Heated bitumen begins to move by gravity down toward the second well. Pumps in the second well draw the bitumen into the well and up to the surface.
Multiple wells sometimes more than 20 can be drilled from a single surface location, further reducing surface disturbance. This method pumps steam down a vertical well to soak or liquefy the bitumen, which is then pumped to the surface through the same well. This technique is repeated until most of the oil is removed.
Initially, companies may begin their exploration process by reviewing existing geological and geophysical data to learn more about potential reservoirs. Next, seismic surveys are completed to map geological structures under the seabed.
If an analysis of seismic data shows a geological structure that could contain oil and natural gas resources, a company may decide to drill an exploration well. Before drilling and offshore oil extraction can begin, companies must apply for the appropriate approvals from the relevant regulatory body in Atlantic Canada.
Should a company decide that it wants to proceed to offshore oil and natural gas production, the next step is development. The offshore development phase can take five to 10 years, depending on the size of the project.
During the development phase, the company develops a series of plans which outline exactly how it will produce the oil and natural gas in a particular reservoir, the environmental protection measures that will be put in place to minimize any environmental impact, the safety measures that will be used on the project, and the benefits of the project to the relevant communities and province as a whole including employment, revenues, contracts, etc.
Finally, production commences on the offshore oil project. Producing oil and natural gas offshore is a complex process due to the challenges of operating in a remote and sometimes harsh environment. Production facilities are built to withstand the offshore environment and its challenges, including the potential for sea ice and icebergs in some areas.
Some heavy oil, and about half the bitumen produced from the oil sands, is upgraded to create synthetic crude oil. Synthetic oil is usually low in sulphur and contains no residue very heavy components. Upgrading can occur at or near the producing area. Adding hydrogen or removing carbon from the oil creates hydrocarbon molecules like those in light oil. Upgraded synthetic oil is then refined, just like conventional crude oil, to make gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and heating oil.
Safety drives reliable, consistent operations that result in low emissions, protecting the environment as well as our neighbors. Refining Process Snapshot. Refining Technology and Equipment. The Science of Crude What is petroleum? Refining Video Series Introducing Refining , a three-part education series on the basics of petroleum refining. Crude Oil Basics. Distillation Basics. Refinery Configurations. Crude Oil Characteristics Crude oil is classified primarily by its density, measured in API gravity, and its sulfur content, measured in weight percent.
Medium Crude Generally, crude oil with an API gravity between 24 and 34 and a sulfur content less than 0. Our Products. We produce essential fuels and products that are foundational to modern life. Kerosene based fuel used in commercial aviation. Safety is the Foundation for Our Success We are focused on being the safest operator in the industry. Learn More About Safety. Science and Process Supplying quality fuels, through safe, reliable and environmentally responsible operations.
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