The extraction of heavy oil bitumen from oil sands involves various water-intensive processes. At Sterling Specialty Chemicals, we collaborate with our customers to develop new approaches that enhance water use efficiency in oil sands applications.
Tailings Treatment
Tailings treatment in oil sands involves the separation of solids from liquids, resulting in clean water and a solid deposit. This process is essential for remediation and environmental sustainability. Our advanced polymeric flocculants accelerate the solid-liquid separation process, allowing tailings to be treated efficiently. Coagulants play a key role in capturing contaminants from the water, improving water quality so it can be recycled back into the extraction process.
Water Treatment
In oil sands extraction, especially in steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) operations, water plays a critical role. SAGD involves injecting steam into the reservoir to heat the bitumen and make it flow to the surface. The water that returns with the bitumen must go through oil-water separation and further clarification before reuse. Our tailored chemistries effectively remove key contaminants such as suspended solids, organics, arsenic, selenium, and naphthenic acids. This treatment supports the produced water cycle, improving the quality and increasing the amount of water recovered for further use.
Product Solutions
Polymer Flocculants
- Dry polyacrylamide flocculants of optimal charge and molecular weight.(Tailings Treatment)
- Full range of dry, emulsion, and liquid polyacrylamides.(Water Treatment)
- Tailored for each customer application
Coagulants
- Full range of organic and inorganic coagulant chemistries
Surfactants
- Broad range of chemistry to support oil-water-solid separation
Services
At Sterling Specialty Chemicals, we provide comprehensive services designed to support our customers’ success in oil sands applications. Our dedicated technical service and support team in Fort McMurray, Alberta, collaborates closely with clients to ensure optimal application of our chemistries. Our service offerings include:
Technical Expertise
- Industry-wide application expertise providing onsite technical service and support for our customers.
- Our team conducts routine sampling, supports test plans and field trials, assists with equipment troubleshooting, and acts as trusted technical advisors to clients.
Equipment
- We offer advanced polymer hydration equipment capable of processing 2 – 200 MT/day of dry polyacrylamide. Our injection systems are designed to handle fluid transfer rates ranging from 60 to 1500 m³/hr.
With these services, we not only deliver chemistries but also enable our customers to leverage our products effectively through the design, fabrication, and implementation of polymer hydration and injection equipment.
