Titanium is working with Canadian Natural Resources Limited (Canadian Natural) to conduct engineering design for an oil sands tailings treatment system that eliminates certain tailings streams while recovering bitumen, solvent, and high-value minerals. By preventing solvent and bitumen release, the vast majority of methane emissions from mined oil sands operations can be reduced.
This technology is targeted at froth treatment tails, which are estimated to be responsible for more than 90% of methane emissions from tailings ponds. Results from the Canadian Natural-sponsored project will be applicable to other large oil sands mines and results will be shared and disseminated through Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA).