The oil resources in tar sand deposits in the United States

This report summarizes the data available at the Laramie Energy Technology Center. An effort was made to catalogue U.S. tar sand resources, identify U.S. and state maps showing tar sand deposits, and attempt to compare tar sand oil recovery processes. A review of the available data indicated there were oil resource estimates on the deposits most discussed, namely in California, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah, but the data were actually limited. Almost no definitive data were available for the California deposits. Most of the available data were from four or five major Utah deposits. The most data were from the P. R. Spring and Asphalt Ridge Northwest deposits. A good example of the availability of data was at the P. R. Spring deposit where 17 core holes had been drilled in an areal extent of the deposit of 240 to 270 square miles. This equates to about one core hole per 14 square miles. The majority of the available data is from a few core holes and visual inspection of the outcrops. There are some good data for small areas available but more data are needed to obtain a better knowledge of the potential oil resource from tar sand deposits. The emphasis on developing alternative resources such as from tar sand is relatively new, so no doubt good data will be forthcoming. The latest maps showing the tar sand deposits in the United States and for individual states were published in 1964. Utah, where most of the activity on tar sand deposits is taking place, has had its Survey update their maps showing tar sand deposits. Individual state surveys are becoming more interested in identifying their tar sand deposits, so this should result in new maps on deposits. Economic comparisons to determine the best recovery method of oil from tar sand deposits are not feasible at this time. There are a number of research recovery projects in operation, but most of these are bench models plus a few field tests. The background data are not available to make a logical determination as to which process is more efficient or economical. The basis for most of the present data is from in situ thermal recovery in heavy oil reservoirs. It is just too soon to make a comparison of what process should be used to recover oil from tar sand.