Separation & Processing
Bitumen separation, froth treatment, diluted bitumen, upgrading and utilities.
How bitumen is separated from mined oil sands
Water-based extraction separates bitumen-rich froth from much of the sand and clay in mined oil sands.
Bitumen froth treatment
Froth treatment reduces water and mineral solids in recovered bitumen before transportation or upgrading.
Diluted bitumen and transportation
Raw bitumen is often blended with lighter hydrocarbons so it can move through pipelines to refineries or upgraders.
What oil sands upgrading does
Upgrading converts heavy bitumen into lighter synthetic crude or intermediate products better suited to conventional refining.
Major functions inside an oil sands upgrader
Upgraders combine conversion, hydrotreating, gas treatment, sulphur recovery, hydrogen production and utilities.
Partial upgrading concepts
Partial upgrading aims to improve bitumen enough to reduce diluent demand or improve transport and refinery characteristics without full synthetic-crude upgrading.
Utilities and energy systems in oil sands facilities
Mines, extraction plants, in situ facilities and upgraders depend on power, steam, fuel gas, cooling and water systems.