Electrical properties of Athabasca Oil Sands

Abstract

The results of a series of laboratory measurements of the electrical properties of samples of oil sand from the Athabasca deposit in northeastern Alberta are reported. The electrical conductivity and relative dielectric constant of the samples have been determined over a frequency range extending from 50–109 Hz. The measurements were performed on samples with a wide range of moisture content and over a temperature range from about 3–150 °C. A discussion of the methods and apparatus used is included.Sufficient data have been collected to permit correlation of the electrical properties of oil sand with density, moisture content, and temperature, and hence to indicate how the laboratory results can be extended to estimate in situ conductivities and dielectric constants. The results of these correlations, which are presented in graphical form, are of fundamental importance in any realistic assessment of the viability of electromagnetically heating large in situ deposits of oil sand.