NORTH AMERICAN OIL SANDS: HISTORY OF DEVELOPMENT, PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE - Energy Research Developments: Tidal Energy, Energy Efficiency and Solar Energy - page 291

Source : Major Tar Sand and Heavy Oil Deposits of the United States, Interstate Oil Compact Commission,
1984, p. 2.
Figure 1. Tar (Oil) Sand Deposits of the United States.
Canadian Oil Sand Resources
Canadian oil sand resources are located almost entirely in the province of Alberta. The
Alberta Energy and Utility Board (AEUB) estimates that there are 1.6 trillion barrels of oil
sands in place, of which 11% are recoverable (175 billion barrels) under current economic
conditions (see table 1). Mineable reserves at the surface account for 35 billion barrels (20%)
and in-situ reserves at 141 billion barrels (80%). The AEUB estimates that the ultimate
amount to be discovered (ultimate volume-in place) is 2.5 trillion barrels: about 2.4 trillion in-
situ and 140 billion surface-mineable. Of this ultimate discovered amount, about 314 billion
barrels are expected to be recovered (175 billion barrels in reserves now and another 143
billion barrels anticipated. See table 1).[10] However, EIA estimates only 45.1 billion barrels
(reserve growth and undiscovered potential) to be added to Canada's reserve base by
2025.[11]
Oil sands occur primarily in three areas of Alberta: Peace River, Athabasca, and Cold
Lake (see figure 2 below). Current production is 1.1 million barrels per day and is expected to
reach 2.0 mbd by 2010 and 3.0 mbd by 2015.[12] According to the International Energy
Agency (IEA), Canada's oil sands production could exceed 5.0 mbd by 2033 but would
require at least $90 billion in investment.[13]