Shell: Oil sands in Canada

Shell’s controversial oil sand projects in Canada are unlikely to meet promised targets for reducing toxic wastes, according to Lorraine Mitchelmore from Shell Canada.1 The process of separating clay, sand and silt from bitumen leaves behind an extremely toxic by-product, which the Alberta government regulates through Directive 74.2 In addition to the problems with the toxic waste, oil sands projects face financial feasibility issues and create massive carbon emissions. Oil-sand projects demand a massive initial investment and are profitable only if crude oil prices stay above 95 dollar per barrel.3

  1.  Dawson, C. (2014): (accessed 25.09.2014) []
  2.  Healing, D (2014): (accessed 23.10.2014) []
  3.  Carbon Tracker (2014): (accessed 27.10.2014) []
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