PRS3030 Non-Conventional Hydrocarbons Recovery & Production

1.1 describe infrastructures necessary in the recovery and production of a non-conventional hydrocarbon resource; e.g., extraction, processing, transportation and safety considerations such as first aid, clothing and equipment, government and industry regulations, lifting and hoisting techniques

1.2 examine and describe techniques used to extract the hydrocarbon; e.g., surface mining (strip, open pit), underground mining (shaft, slope), in situ (“in place”) techniques (steam injection, solvent injection, firefloods)

1.3 describe surface and underground equipment used in resource extraction; e.g., heavy machinery (including excavators, scrapers, bulldozers and draglines); blasting, drilling and cutting equipment; augers, conveyor belts and trucks; hand tools and safety equipment

1.4 identify factors that affect the recovery potential for heavy oil, oil sands or coalbed methane; e.g., nature and depth of the overburden, density and viscosity of oil, porosity and permeability of rock structures, economic viability

1.5 investigate technologies used to process the hydrocarbon; e.g., separating, cleaning, upgrading

1.6 explain environmental assessment and management practices conducted by industry throughout recovery and production operations; e.g., environmental standards, enforcement of safe operating procedures

1.7 describe technological advances used to address environmental concerns throughout recovery and production; e.g., tailing ponds, sulphur emission, water drawdown

1.8 describe basic reclamation activities undertaken by industry; e.g., recovery and production, area restoration, strip mine restoration

2.1 describe recovery site and satellite facilities used for separation, cleaning and upgrading processes

2.2 describe different types of field storage facilities

2.3 examine and describe distribution networks used to move bitumen, heavy oil or coal from the recovery site to market (or refinery); e.g., pipeline systems, tankers and barges, rail and trucking systems

2.4 identify and describe challenges associated with the gathering and transmission of bitumen and heavy oil, and technologies developed to assist in these processes

3.1 explain technologies used to maximize resource recovery; e.g., horizontal drilling, extraction and separation processes

3.2 describe special drilling techniques, core description and geophysical logging for oil sands deposits

3.3 research public and private agencies responsible for developing new technology to assist in the recovery of non-conventional hydrocarbon resources; e.g., Alberta Research Council, Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Authority

3.4 explain the economic, social and environmental significance of Alberta’s non-conventional hydrocarbon resources

4.1 demonstrate fundamental skills to:

4.2 demonstrate personal management skills to:

4.3 demonstrate teamwork skills to:

5.1 identify short-term and long-term goals

5.2 identify steps to achieve goals