Oil Sands and Heavy Oil Worldwide: Production and Infrastructure Markets

Dense and viscous, bitumen is counted along with extra-heavy crude oil and heavy crude oil as unconventional crude oil resources that are finding a growing role in upstream operations and producer portfolios worldwide. Between 2007 and 2011, global unconventional crude oil production rose at a rate nearly four times higher than total crude oil production (compound annual growth rate [CAGR] of 1.5% to 0.4%) and represented nearly half of the total production gains (518,000 barrels a day of  1.06 million barrels a day). In this report, SBI Energy details historical and forecast trends in heavy oil, extra-heavy oil and bitumen production (in barrels a day), associated annual capital spending (CAPEX) volumes, and annual market volumes for project infrastructure on a global, regional and country basis between 2007 and 2021.

Oil Sands and Heavy Oil Worldwide – Production and Infrastructure Markets is an informative and comprehensive resource featuring data-driven analysis of global crude oil resources with an American Petroleum Institute (API) gravity equal to or less than 22.2° (degrees) and viscosity above 100 centipoise (cP) or, the viscosity of maple syrup. With such features, unconventional crude oil resources like heavy oil, extra-heavy oil and crude bitumen can present unique challenges to traditional well production. In the Canadian oil sands, rounds of steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) projects are anticipated for completion each year through 2016, with each project using continuous injection of steam into horizontal wells to mobilize bitumen. Other industry projects are profiled worldwide, where steam well injection, water injection (secondary recovery), advanced drilling and other development strategies are employed to unlock heavy oil, extra-heavy oil, and bitumen.   

SBI Energy’s review of unconventional crude oil development and production provides historical and forecast (2007-2021) production rates by resource type and country (Canada, the United States, Venezuela) or region (Latin America [excluding Venezuela], the Middle East, Russia and Central Asia, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Europe); historical and forecast development and production CAPEX volumes for unconventional crude oil by country or region; historical and forecast infrastructure markets for well fields, production facilities, subsea fields, and offshore topsides by country or region; historical and forecast upgrader facility expenditures for synthetic crude oil production in Canada and Venezuela; and market breakouts for the leading Canadian oil sands infrastructure market by well pad infrastructure, oil treating systems, water treating systems, steam generation systems, and cogeneration equipment. Remaining report content includes technical and operational overviews of unconventional crude oil production and conversion to synthetic crude oil, leading regional drivers for unconventional crude oil development and production, and roles for North American (U.S. and Canadian) manufacturers and fabricators in regional and overseas supply chains.

Report Methodology

The data, assessments and analysis provided in Oil Sands and Heavy Oil Worldwide – Production and Infrastructure Markets is based on primary and secondary research. Primary research included interviews with firms involved in the construction of unconventional crude oil production facilities, unconventional crude oil producers, and providers of oil field technology and services. Secondary research included the comprehensive review and consolidation of governmental data resources, SEC filings and operational data from heavy oil, extra-heavy oil and bitumen producers worldwide, industry association data, technical studies, and U.S. and foreign trade data.

The report made use of available unconventional crude oil project development information, including project scheduling, cost breakdowns, ongoing capital costs and individual equipment and technology costs that were used to determine the distribution of project CAPEX, procurement and major infrastructure orders.

What You’ll Get in This Report

Oil Sands and Heavy Oil Worldwide – Production and Infrastructure Markets contains exclusive insights and projections regarding the future of heavy crude oil, extra-heavy crude oil and bitumen production around the world, and its role in determining producer CAPEX and infrastructure spending both globally and regional. Readers will benefit from extensive data and unique analysis, presented in easy-to-read and illustrative charts, tables and graphs accompanied by fluid and concise commentary and conclusions.

How You’ll Benefit from This Report

If your company is already active in the production of unconventional crude oil resources, or is considering a stake in unconventional crude oil development, you will find this report invaluable. You will gain a thorough understanding of the current global production trends for heavy oil, extra-heavy oil and bitumen, as well as projected trends in capital spending requirements and project infrastructure demand through 2021.

This report will help:

• Upstream service and technology providers understand the market forces shaping demand for ongoing unconventional crude oil development and production.
• Research and development professionals assess addressable markets for solutions in unconventional crude oil recovery and production facility processing.
• Business development executives understand the dynamics of the market, evaluate existing product and service portfolios with projected upstream activity,and identify possible partnerships and investment opportunities.
• Information and research center librarians provide market researchers, product managers, and other colleagues with the vital information they need to do their jobs more effectively.