The Energy Producing Region Of Alberta - Robert

Question 1

What is hydrocarbon?

Answer 1

A compound of carbon and hydrogen atoms

ex: oil and natural gas

Question 2

Where are Canada’s largest fields of hydrocarbons found and in what form do they come in?

Answer 2

Canada’s largest fields of hydrocarbons are found in Alberta in bitumons sand form

Question 3

Why is Alberta a wealthy province?

Answer 3

It owns 65% of Canada’s oil fields

Question 4

How much oil can Alberta supply to the globe?

Answer 4

It has enough oil in the sand to satisfy the globe for another century

Question 5

What did Alberta rely on in the 1940s and what changed this?

Answer 5

In the 1940s Alberta relied on farming until the discovery of oil

Question 6

How many people live in Alberta and what are its two major cities?

Answer 6

Alberta is home to more than 4 million people and contains two major cities known as Calgary and Edmonton

Question 7

What has greatly benefited the cities of Edmonton and Calgary and how?

Answer 7

Petroleum development has greatly benefited Calgary and Edmonton. Expanding oil companies means expanding services and infrastructures.

Question 8

What is Calgary and Edmonton experiencing because of all the people moving to the area?

Answer 8

The area is experiencing the strongest demographic and economic growth in the country

Question 9

What are the three main oil sand deposits and where are they located?

Answer 9

1) Athabasca (Northeast)
2) Cold Lake (East)
3) Peace River (Northwest)

Question 10

How is oil less than 80m extracted?

Answer 10

Strip mining or open pit mines are used. Forests are cleared and pits are constructed

Question 11

How is oil deeper than 80m extracted?

Answer 11

Fracking is used to extract the oil. This method is more difficult and complicated. Deposits are heated by injecting steam into them which melts the bitumen. The “oily mud” it creates is then pumped to the surface.

Question 12

What are pipelines? Where do they extend in Alberta?

Answer 12

Pipelines carry oil from one place to another. In Alberta, pipelines extend to the United States and the rest of Canada

Question 13

What is required in order to build pipelines? What is the problem with them?

Answer 13

To develop pipelines, developers must buy and clear land through forests. Pipelines sometimes cross protected or ecological areas causing frustration and a risk of potential spillage.

Question 14

How much of it’s own oil does Alberta consume? Where does the rest go?

Answer 14

Alberta consumes 25% of the oil it produces. The province is self sufficient and almost two thirds of its oil is sold to the United States. Also, hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil are being transported to Asian markets daily

Question 15

What are people living near oil and gas companies concerned about? What have the people done to try and fix the issue? Have the issues been resolved?

Answer 15

The people are concerned for their health, well being and the environment. Citizens have demanded stronger regulations and closer monitoring of oil processing. Oil spills and the misuse of oil mining are ongoing issues that have yet to be resolved.

Question 16

How has petroleum development affected the First Nations people? What have they been demanding to resolve the issue?

Answer 16

Petroleum development is destroyed their land and traditional hunting grounds. First Nations communities have been demanding that oil companies recognize the land they are developing as well as to include them within the decision making processes of development.

Question 17

How does oil sand development affect our water?

Answer 17

Developing oil sands requires large quantities of fresh water. After use, water is usually returned. Most of the water is heavily contaminated and put into manmade lakes and reserves. Some of the contaminated water seeps back into major waterways.

Question 18

How does the transformation of bitumen affect our environment?

Answer 18

The transformation of bitumen emits toxic gases and sulfur dioxide. These gases reduce the humidity and cause a risk of forest fires and drought. The amount of greenhouse gases produced from the production of a single barrel of oil sand is twice as much as a conventional barrel.

Question 19

What did Canada pledge about their emissions? How did Alberta react to this and what has happened since?

Answer 19

Canada pledged to reduce its emissions by 6%. Alberta fiercely opposed and their emissions have j creased by one third since.

Question 20

What has happened to our environment because if the development of oil sand deposits in the boreal forest? Can it ever be restored?

Answer 20

Rivers have been diverted, peat bogs have been destroyed and soils have been removed. Plant and animal species have lost their habitats. The disappearing of wetlands is making forest regeneration even more difficult. Oil companies have attempted to replant parts of the forests but it may be impossible to restore biodiversity.