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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

Journal of Sedimentary Research (SEPM)

Abstract


Journal of Sedimentary Petrology
Vol. 32 (1962)No. 2. (June), Pages 312-325

Effect of Texture on the Distribution of Oil in the Athabasca Oil Sands, Alberta, Canada

Maurice A. Carrigy

ABSTRACT

The Athabasca oil sands consist of uncemented quartzose sand, silt, and clay, impregnated by extremely viscous oil. Seventy-six per cent of the variation in the oil content of these sediments is related to the median diameter and to the percentage of clay-size material (less than 2 microns).

Analysis of variance of the two independent variables shows that the percentage of clay-size material is more effective than the median diameter in determining the amount of oil that the sediment can hold.

Most samples of Athabasca oil sand containing more than ten per cent of oil by weight have median diameters within the range of those of sandstone reservoir rocks from which oil has been produced in commercial quantities.


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