This process cracks the longer molecules. The plant only did the lowest part of the upgrading to 19 API. It incorporated a process called fluid cracking and fluid coking. There was some coke produced as a result of the operation. There was also a desulphurization unit to remove sulphur from the emissions. There was less surface disturbance and no tailings ponds to clean up. The layers containing tar sands are already polluted with the oil that occurs in a natural formation.

Another company called Petrobank has been trying underground THAI fireflood recovery. Other companies tried vertical fireflood methods for decades then gave up as SAGD appeared better to them. Per a recent presentation they have been able to get an average 12 API oil (12 is heavier than 19). This is similar to the API grade output that Suncor gets from its SAGD Firebag steaming operations. In the lab tests of the THAI process the initial API output was supposed to be higher (lighter oil). In the field testing the lab process cannot be duplicated. There is also a problem with sand production and irregular flow of liquids.

From the article, it sounds like they're getting the hydrogen from the feedstock itself, disproportionating the tar into lighter hydrocarbons and coke. It doesn't necessarily require the addition of water, but apparently does involve quite a lot of "cooking". And of course all that cooking is going to lower the EROEI of your product.

Most of the green house gas CO2 from oil comes from burning fuel in the gas/diesel tank, something most people have no problems with. Al Gore burned more gasoline and jet fuel in a year in his travels than over 90% of the world's population. Other people have justified their use of fuel also. Some have stated that if we were to stop using hydrocarbons at once we could not stop the effects of global warming as it might take decades or longer for the stuff to be removed from the air. Every time there is a flood, hurricane, or drought some blamed it on global warming. Are there any areas that might gain from global warming? A true expert might be able to quote any benefits warming might bring.

I have read of sea level rise of 1.8 mm per year. That means in 100 years the sea level might rise a foot and a half, unless as theorized sea level rise accelerates. Coastal erosion happened without sea level rise and is normal for some coastal areas. Wave erosion removed land mass on a regular basis while at the mouth of the Mississipi River new land mass was created. Other changes in coastal areas are due to the rising and falling of the earth's crust as the land masses and ocean floor are not static, but moving. The movements were not only horizontal but vertical.

People were currently demanding gasoline, not in pleased to be asked to give up its use to prevent global warming. One might not win an election by promising to ban the use of hydrocarbons.