Athabasca Tar Sands Corridor Study. Volume 1, Part 2 Corridor Development Plan

Resource Type
Authors
Athabasca Tar Sands Corridor Study Group
Resource Date:
1974
Page Length
59

In this plan a transportation corridor connects the oil sands resources of the Athabasca area to a new major provincial terminal which serves as a central hub for additional corridors radiating out to existing and future industrial facilities and extra-provincial terminals. The placement of these corridors and industrial facilities meets the location parameters agreed upon by the study group. The new corridor components are pipelines, power transmission lines and a relatively short railway spur line in the vicinity of the terminal. Where possible the corridors are integrated with existing pipelines, highways and railways. The Corridor Concept is applicable. \"Alberta Skaro Terminal\" is the provisional name used in this report for the major provincial terminal. The purpose of this terminal is to receive, measure, pass-through, transfer, or direct liquid hydrocarbons by pipeline, railway or truck between petrochemical complexes, refineries, extraprovincial terminals and the mineral source. An additional possible future terminal is indicated in the Hardisty area which will probably be interconnected with the system sometime in the future. The plan envisions several major petrochemical complexes and refinery sites to be developed easterly along the south side of the North Saskatchewan River. The realization of these plants will depend upon many factors, but Alberta through its control of the developing hydrocarbon supplies from the Oil Sands can ensure feedstock supply on a long term basis. With the fast depletion of conventional oil reserves and the enormous increase in cost of conventional crude oil this assured feedstock supply may be the most important factor in determining where processing is to take place. The parameters which were used by the study group in formulating the Corridor Development Plan covered: the social and physical environment, engineering and economic considerations, hydrocarbon supply and demand, decentralization of urban growth, continued support of existing facilities, export of surplus products and the location constraints of each facility. Those participating in the \"Corridor Concept\" part of the plan involved the public, citizens' groups, industry and the multi-discipline consultant group. After this participation and additional study the consultant group prepared the plan contained in this report. Optimistic projections were made to ensure flexibility in order that the system can expand to accommodate any foreseeable industrial growth opportunities for Alberta.