Evaluation of energy and GHG emissions' footprints of bitumen extraction using Enhanced Solvent Extraction Incorporating Electromagnetic Heating technology

Enhanced Solvent Extraction Incorporating Electromagnetic Heating is an emerging technique for in situ oil sands extraction. A bottom-up method based on first engineering principles was conducted to determine the greenhouse gas emissions and energy requirements of the process. Two pathways in which to reduce solvent loss and energy use by the process were investigated. In Pathway I, the produced gases are captured to minimize solvent losses, while Pathway II considers their use as fuel. Energy scenarios were developed to analyze the overall impacts of the electricity sources. A case for Alberta, Canada, was conducted to study the impacts of electricity consumption on emission performance. The current Alberta electricity mix, future Alberta electricity mix (to 2030), 100% renewable electricity (from biomass), and cogeneration were the energy scenarios considered. The results show that energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions for Pathways I and II are 487.2 and 375.5 MJ/bbl, and 77.7 and 59.77 kg CO2 eq/bbl of bitumen, respectively. Electricity use by the antenna for heating is the key contributor. The electricity-from-biomass scenario offers the highest emission reduction, 83.0% below Alberta's current electricity mix. Improvement in the antenna performance and cleaner electricity generation would reduce environmental impacts. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.