Unconventional Fuels

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Unconventional Fossil Fuels

Although renewable energy has been developed, some countries are still dependent on fossil fuels. As conventional fossil fuels become increasingly limited, some nations have turned to unconventional fossil fuels to continue to support their demand.

Tar sands

Opencast mines are used to extract tar sands before it is crushed and misted with water. High-pressure steam can be injected in to separate the bitumen from the sands.
Tar sands are only economically worthwhile when oil prices rise above US$40 a barrel. This is because tar sand production costs US$8-18 a barrel more than conventional oil production.
The process is energy intensive, requiring 1 barrel of conventional oil to produce 3 barrels of tar sand oil.
It is also water intensive, requiring 2-5 barrels of water for each barrel of oil.

Canadian tar sands

Tar sands could meet 16% of North America’s oil needs by 2030, offering energy security to Canada and the USA (70% of Canadian oil is exported to the USA).
The work related to this is vital for local and national economies.

Oil shale

Kerogen is found in sedimentary rock that has not had enough pressure, heat and time for conventional oil.
77% of the world reserves of kerogen are found in the USA.

Shale gas

Shale gas is gas trapped in fractures and pores of sandstones and shales.
This can also include methane that is found in coal seams.

Deep water oil

As reserves which are accessible decline (i.e. North Sea oil) companies search deeper ocean water for other oil reserves.
These come with greater environmental risks and economic costs.
- E.g. The Gulf of Mexico and Brazil's offshore reserves.

Biofuels

Biofuels use natural waste and plants to create primary energy in the form of fuel that can power vehicles or generate secondary energy.

What are biofuels?

Biofuels are fuels that are produced from organic matter and can be used in vehicles. This can include biomass (the burning of plant material and animal waste for energy).
Biofuel has three categories:
- Bio-ethanol is derived from sugar cane and beet and maize.
- Bio-diesel is derived from animal fats and vegetable oils.
- Bio-methane can be derived from waste (organic, domestic or animal) and sewage.

Impact of biofuels on food supply

Plants that would otherwise have been grown for food are now being grown for fuel (i.e. rapeseed oil in the EU, Maize in the USA, palms in Malaysia).
Food shortages can happen as a result of farmers changing to a cash crop like sugar cane. This can lead to rising food prices.
Land that would have been used for food production is now used for fuel production.

Are they carbon neutral?

The aim of using biofuels is to reduce carbon emissions.
But there is mass deforestation to plant the fuel.
Biomass needs a kick-start to start burning, which requires fossil fuels.
This, with the carbon that is released from the burning of the biomass, can produce 150-400% more CO₂ than coal.
Different plant fuels will have higher carbon emissions (such as rapeseed) than crude oil.
Deforestation for crop production needs the carbon to sink and increases CO₂ emissions.

Biofuels in Brazil

Brazil is a big biofuel producer and the industry provides a huge number of jobs for Brazilians. But there are links with social unrest over land use rights.

The industry

Brazil is the biggest producer of ethanol from sugar cane, which is used in a mix with petrol in most cars and vehicles (happening since the 1930s).
930,000 barrels worth is produced each day and is worth US$50 billion a year, employing 1.34 million people and generating 16% of Brazil’s energy.
6 million flex vehicles (vehicles that can use a mixture of fuels) and 3 million others are powered by ethanol and bio-diesel (from soybean oil).

Problems with biofuel production

There are a few links to deforestation because sugar cane grows best in places that haven't been forested.
Social unrest has resulted from sugar cane growth taking over land, resulting in farm workers not growing enough food and many migrating to cities.