Biomass Any organic matter that can be converted to energy.
Bitumen A semi-solid form of crude oil that, like molasses, does not flow easily in its natural state.
Capital Expenditures Expenditures whose benefits are realized in the future. Money used to acquire or improve fixed assets like a plant, property or equipment is a capital expenditure.
COGD (Combustion Overhead Gravity Drainage) Acronym for Combustion Overhead Gravity Drainage, a heavy oil / bitumen recovery technology involving several vertical wells above one of horizontal well. Steam is used to heat the bitumen similar to CSS, followed by air injection to ignite the upper bitumen and recover the lighter remaining bitumen.
Cogeneration The use of clean burning natural gas to produce electricity while recovering waste heat to generate the steam used to produce the bitumen in situ.
CSS (Cyclic Steam Stimulation) Acronym for Cyclic Steam Stimulation, a heavy oil / bitumen recovery technology involving a single well (sometimes horizontal, but often vertical). CSS wells cycle through a Steam Injection Phase and a Production Phase. In the Steam Injection Phase, steam is injected into the reservoir at high pressure. When the pressure in the reservoir is increased to an adequate level, the steam is turned off and the well is used to recover oil to surface in the Production Phase.
Energy Independence North American energy independence is a goal whereby the United States, Mexico and Canada would eventually, through cooperative energy policies and technological innovation, produce energy equal to the amount of energy they consume.
Energy Intensity A ratio expressing the relationship between energy consumption and value added.
Hybrid Process A combination of any existing or new technologies used for in situ production. As with the automobile industry, the adoption of hybrid processes by the oil sands industry may allow for more efficient use of energy and help to reduce environmental impacts.
In Situ A bitumen recovery technique that softens bitumen in the ground so that it can be brought to the surface using wells, leaving the sand behind. In situ methods do not require tailings ponds, and have a similar surface disturbance to that of conventional oil and gas production.
Mtoe Million tonnes of oil equivalent
Non-Thermal Any recovery process that doesn't use heat energy to produce bitumen.
Royalties A royalty is the price charged by the government for the right to develop an energy resource such as bitumen or natural gas.
A table of oil sands royalty rates in the Province of Alberta is available here.
Royalties are only part of the overall revenue share received. In addition, oil sands producers pay bonus revenue to the Alberta government in the form of successful mineral lease bids, rentals and fees associated with the leases, and corporate income taxes.
SAGD (Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage) Acronym for Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage, a heavy oil / bitumen recovery technology involving pairs of horizontal wells, aligned vertically and spaced about 5 meters apart. Steam is injected into the reservoir by means of the top well, heating bitumen so that it becomes mobile. With gravity, the bitumen falls the lower well - the "producer", which transports it to the surface.
Solvent Assisted Any process that uses light hydrocarbons, such as propane, butane or condensates, in the recovery of bitumen.
Surface Footprint The amount of land disturbed by a development. Horizontal wells, multi-well pads, and progressive reclamation all help to minimize the surface footprint of in situ developments.
Tax Revenues The income that governments secure through taxation of populations and corporations.
THAI™ (Toe to Heel Air Injection) Acronym for Toe to Heel Air Injection, a heavy oil / bitumen recovery technology involving air being injected into a vertical well at the toe of one horizontal well, which then combusts to create a smoldering fire which moves into the heel of the horizontal well, while recovering 60-80% of the oil out of the reservoir.
VAPEX (Vapour Extraction Process) Acronym for Vapour Extraction Process, a heavy oil / bitumen recovery technology involving pairs of horizontal wells, similar to SAGD. Hydrocarbon solvents are injected into the upper well to help heat the bitumen instead of steam.