What is Tar Sand?

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Tar sandstone, from California, USA. Source: WikiCommons

Tar sand is simply an unconventional form of petroleum.

It is one among the four unconventional fossil fuels, namely shale gas, tight oil, tar sands, and oil shale, none of which can be produced using traditional methods.

Also called Oil sands or crude bitumen, Tar sands are rich mainly in bitumen. Crude bitumen is a thick, sticky form of crude oil—so viscous that it will not flow unless heated.

Significant tar sand deposits have been reported in Canada, Kazakhstan, Russia, Venezuela, and the USA. Canada reportedly has more of it than any other country and it is concentrated in the province of Alberta.

The 1973 and 1979 crude oil price shocks led to its development and extraction.

According to the Oil Climate Index, carbon emissions from tar sand crude are 31% higher than from conventional oil. Hence, a major reason why some countries are looking in that direction.

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