Toward a definition of tar sands

This report summarizes information presented during the Tar Sands Workshop sponsored by the Department of Energy/Resource Applications (RA), Office of Oil and Natural Gas at the U.S. Geological Survey in Reston on August 7, 1980 . No definition suitable for RA's purposes currently exists that distinguishes between very heavy oil and tar sands; and the purpose of this workshop was to present technical data toward establishing a definition of "tar sands". Accordingly, participants were asked to address three related topics: Quantitative standards for providing a demarcation line between tar sands and heavy oil; Technical procedures for applying the standard and qualifying a deposit as tar sands; and A process for exceptions and appeals of worthy projects and deposits that might be excluded by use of simple quantitative standards. Approximately 65 people attended this workshop representing industry, the Department of Interior (DOI), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), various branches of the Department of Energy (DOE), several state governments, and the staff of the U.S. Congress. The attendance list is provided in Attachment 1.