Are Canadian tar sands the answer to our oil needs?

When the oil wells run dry, how will we meet our energy needs? If you believe the hype, we'll be getting our fuel from the Canadian tar sands - also known as oil sands. But extracting the oil-rich bitumen is an energy-intensive and costly process - Byron King looks at why the sands may not be the Peak Oil solution they're cracked up to be.

Forgive me if I call them tar sands, dear readers. I know that the marketing people want to call them "oil" sands, because it is better for the real estate values.

After all, would you rather have oil on your land or tar? And what sounds better when you meet some new people down at the club and want to impress them: "Hello, I'm in the tar business" or, "Hello, I am an oilman"?

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