Step 1 (of 6)
Miners excavate oil sands near Fort McMurray, in northern Alberta, Canada. Bitumen is separated from the sand and clay, diluted and sent about 300 miles south via pipeline to Shell’s Scotford facility, near Edmonton. There, the bitumen is “upgraded” to synthetic crude oil, which in turn is refined into gasoline and other products.
Step 1 (of 6)
Miners excavate oil sands near Fort McMurray, in northern Alberta, Canada. Bitumen is separated from the sand and clay, diluted and sent about 300 miles south via pipeline to Shell’s Scotford facility, near Edmonton. There, the bitumen is “upgraded” to synthetic crude oil, which in turn is refined into gasoline and other products.
Step 2 (of 6)
The process of upgrading bitumen to synthetic crude oil requires hydrogen. Generating that hydrogen, however, also creates a lot of carbon dioxide. Shell’s process is able to capture about a third of the carbon dioxide produced.
Step 2 (of 6)
The process of upgrading bitumen to synthetic crude oil requires hydrogen. Generating that hydrogen, however, also creates a lot of carbon dioxide. Shell’s process is able to capture about a third of the carbon dioxide produced.
Step 3 (of 6)
The generated hydrogen and carbon dioxide are piped into an “absorber vessel,” where an amine solvent is added to separate the carbon dioxide from the hydrogen.
The separated hydrogen is then used as part of the process to upgrade bitumen to crude oil.
Step 3 (of 6)
The generated hydrogen and carbon dioxide are piped into an “absorber vessel,” where an amine solvent is added to separate the carbon dioxide from the hydrogen.
The separated hydrogen is then used as part of the process to upgrade bitumen to crude oil.
Step 4 (of 6)
The amine and carbon dioxide are piped into a “stripper vessel,” where they are separated using heat and pressure.
The separated amine is recycled back to the absorber vessel.
Step 4 (of 6)
The amine and carbon dioxide are piped into a “stripper vessel,” where they are separated using heat and pressure.
The separated amine is recycled back to the absorber vessel.
Step 5 (of 6)
The carbon dioxide is compressed into a dense fluid.
Step 5 (of 6)
The carbon dioxide is compressed into a dense fluid.
Step 6 (of 6)
The liquid carbon dioxide is then sent via pipeline to wells, where it is injected about 1.4 miles underground, through layers of rock, into a saltwater aquifer. These wells are not in areas previously used for oil and gas drilling.
Step 6 (of 6)
The liquid carbon dioxide is then sent via pipeline to wells, where it is injected about 1.4 miles underground, through layers of rock, into a saltwater aquifer. These wells are not in areas previously used for oil and gas drilling.