The Application of Subsurface Hydraulic Mining in Tar Sands
Abstract/Contents
- Abstract
- Tar sands offer an excellent source of hydrocarbons. Their production can extend the supply of domestic fossil fuels into the next century. However, development of this resource has been stalled by technical, environmental, and economic problems. For these reasons, the conventional in-situ and surface mining extraction methods are undesirable in recovering the bitumen from many deposits. This report examines the alternative approach of hydraulically mining the tar sands.A well is drilled and casing is set at the top of the deposit. A hydraulic mining tool is lowered into the hole, and upon reaching the interval, high pressure water is pumped down the device and through nozzles that are directed at the formation. The tool is rotated so that the water jet excavates the tar sand and the resulting slurry is pumped to the surface.This technique has excellent application in marginal oil fields that cannot economically support either surface mining or in situ recovery methods. In addition, it can be used to mine deposits that are not at the optimal depth for either the mining or the in situ methods. The excellent potential of this technique encourages further investigation.
Description
| Type of resource | text |
|---|---|
| Date created | June 1981 |
Creators/Contributors
| Author | Walter, John William |
|---|---|
| Primary advisor | Marsden Jr, Sullivan S. |
| Degree granting institution | Stanford University, Department of Petroleum Engineering |
Subjects
| Subject | School of Earth Energy & Environmental Sciences |
|---|---|
| Genre | Thesis |
Bibliographic information
Access conditions
- Use and reproduction
- User agrees that, where applicable, content will not be used to identify or to otherwise infringe the privacy or confidentiality rights of individuals. Content distributed via the Stanford Digital Repository may be subject to additional license and use restrictions applied by the depositor.
Preferred citation
- Preferred Citation
- Walter, John William. (1981). The Application of Subsurface Hydraulic Mining in Tar Sands. Stanford Digital Repository. Available at: https://purl.stanford.edu/fc505rt4767
Collection
Master's Theses, Doerr School of Sustainability
View other items in this collection in SearchWorksContact information
- Contact
- brannerlibrary@stanford.edu
Also listed in
Loading usage metrics...