Full Title: Integration of Nuclear Energy with Oil Sands Projects For Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Natural Gas Consumption
Author(s): Ashley Finan Bersak and Andrew C. Kadak
Publisher(s): Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Publication Date: June 1, 2007
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Description (excerpt):
This paper explores the feasibility and economics of using nuclear energy to power future oil sands production and upgrading activities. Although more expensive to build than conventional facilities, nuclear reactors produce no greenhouse gas emissions and offer relatively low and stable fuel and operating costs. Although uranium has been subject to recent price increases as a result of improved operation of existing reactors and plans for new plants, nuclear energy production costs are relatively insensitive to uranium costs. There are, however, several trade-offs. This paper compares the benefits and the drawbacks, and puts forth several nuclear energy application scenarios for steam or steam and electricity for upgrading bitumen from both in-situ and surface mining operations.