Project Oilsand
Encyclopedia
Project Oilsand, also known as Project Oilsands, and originally known as Project Cauldron, was a 1958 proposal to exploit the Athabasca Oil Sands
in Alberta
via the underground detonation of a nuclear bomb; hypothetically, the heat and pressure created by an underground detonation would boil the bitumen deposits, reducing their viscosity
to the point that standard oilfield techniques could be used.
Project Cauldron was suggested by L.M. Natland, a geologist working for Richfield Oil, in response to American efforts to find peaceful uses for atomic energy
. An investigative committee was formed with the support of Alberta's Social Credit
government. One of the committee's early recommendations was that, in order to minimize public fears, a "less effervescent name" should be used; Project Cauldron was subsequently renamed Project Oilsand.
In April 1959, the Federal Mines Department
approved Project Oilsand; Pony Creek, Alberta (64 miles from Fort McMurray) was selected as a test site. Before the project could continue beyond these preliminary steps, however, the Canadian government's stance on the use of nuclear weapons shifted towards one of non-proliferation; out of concerns that it would increase the risk of Soviet espionage, Project Oilsand was put on hiatus. In April 1962, Canadian Secretary of State for External Affairs
Howard Charles Green
said "Canada is opposed to nuclear tests, period"; Project Oilsand was subsequently canceled.
Athabasca Oil Sands
The Athabasca oil sands are large deposits of bitumen, or extremely heavy crude oil, located in northeastern Alberta, Canada - roughly centred on the boomtown of Fort McMurray...
in Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
via the underground detonation of a nuclear bomb; hypothetically, the heat and pressure created by an underground detonation would boil the bitumen deposits, reducing their viscosity
Viscosity
Viscosity is a measure of the resistance of a fluid which is being deformed by either shear or tensile stress. In everyday terms , viscosity is "thickness" or "internal friction". Thus, water is "thin", having a lower viscosity, while honey is "thick", having a higher viscosity...
to the point that standard oilfield techniques could be used.
Project Cauldron was suggested by L.M. Natland, a geologist working for Richfield Oil, in response to American efforts to find peaceful uses for atomic energy
Operation Plowshare
Project Plowshare was the overall United States term for the development of techniques to use nuclear explosives for peaceful construction purposes...
. An investigative committee was formed with the support of Alberta's Social Credit
Social Credit Party of Alberta
The Alberta Social Credit Party is a provincial political party in Alberta, Canada, that was founded on the social credit monetary policy and conservative Christian social values....
government. One of the committee's early recommendations was that, in order to minimize public fears, a "less effervescent name" should be used; Project Cauldron was subsequently renamed Project Oilsand.
In April 1959, the Federal Mines Department
Natural Resources Canada
The Department of Natural Resources , operating under the FIP applied title Natural Resources Canada , is the ministry of the government of Canada responsible for natural resources, energy, minerals and metals, forests, earth sciences, mapping and remote sensing...
approved Project Oilsand; Pony Creek, Alberta (64 miles from Fort McMurray) was selected as a test site. Before the project could continue beyond these preliminary steps, however, the Canadian government's stance on the use of nuclear weapons shifted towards one of non-proliferation; out of concerns that it would increase the risk of Soviet espionage, Project Oilsand was put on hiatus. In April 1962, Canadian Secretary of State for External Affairs
Secretary of State for External Affairs (Canada)
Canada's Secretary of State for External Affairs was, from 1909 to 1993, the member of the Cabinet of Canada responsible for overseeing the federal government's international relations and the former Department of External Affairs...
Howard Charles Green
Howard Charles Green
Howard Charles Green, PC was a Canadian politician and parliamentarian.He was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons in the 1935 federal election as a Conservative from Vancouver, British Columbia and served as an Member of Parliament for twenty eight years...
said "Canada is opposed to nuclear tests, period"; Project Oilsand was subsequently canceled.