Carbon - Canadian Tar-Sands

Question 1

How many estimated barrels of oil exist in Canada’s tar sands?

Answer 1

166 billion

Question 2

What is daily productivity expected to reach by 2030?

Answer 2

4 million barrels
Compared to 2.3m in 2014

Question 3

What are the economic benefits of tar sands?

Answer 3

$4 trillion generated 2015-35
$1.2 trillion tax revenues
151,000 jobs

Question 4

What are the efficiency drawbacks of tar sands?

Answer 4

2-5 barrels of water per barrel
1/3 barrel of conventional oil

Question 5

What is the waste profile of Canada’s tar sands?

Answer 5

1.8m tonnes toxic water waste daily
Spoil heaps
Tailings ponds (Waste material)

Question 6

What are the energy security benefits of tar sands?

Answer 6

16% North American oil 2030
98% of Canadian oil is used in North America

Question 7

What are the impacts on the carbon cycle?

Answer 7

Sharp rise in emissions
Reduced carbon absorption

Question 8

Which stakeholders are in support of the tar sands?

Answer 8

Oil companies
Alberta govt - Security arguments
Local workforce

Question 9

Which stakeholders oppose the use of tar sands?

Answer 9

Environmental pressure groups
- Greenpeace
Local communities

Question 10

What are the costs for local communities?

Answer 10

Pollution
Health disruptions
Housing crisis - Workers imported
Traditional way of life threatened