Natural Bitumen

Natural Bitumen, often called tar sands or oil sands, is similar to heavy oil except it is more dense and viscous. The overwhelming majority of bitumen is found in western Canada and eastern Venezuela.

World reserves
Total original bitumen in place in billion barrels World total: 5,505 Bbbl

2,390 2,260 347

430 10.5 4.46 17 <1 46

60

0m

iles

Viscosity and density

Viscosity and density are key metrics used in hydrocarbon recovery and utilization. Viscosity is a measure of a fluids resistance to flow. Oils viscosity determines how easily it can be extracted from a reservoir. Viscosity is expressed in a measurement called centipoise. Density is measured in terms of American Petroleum Institute (API) gravity. The API gravity of a petroleum liquid is a measure of its relative density and is used by refiners to help determine the expected yield from a given feedstock. Viscosity, centipoise
0.1 1 10 100 1,000 10,000 100,000 1 million

Light oil Water API gravity, degrees Unleaded gasoline Condesates

70 60 50

Heavy and extra heavy oil Vegetable oil Engine oil

Natural bitumen

West Texas Intermediate Volatile oil

40

Vegetable oil Black oil

30 20

Water Heavy oil

10

Bitumen

Ultraheavy oil
0