Map of Oil Sands reserves in Alabama – Photo by Alabama Cooperative System
TUSCUMBIA – It may sound far-fetched, but Alabama has the 3rd largest oil-sands reserves in the United States. Perhaps that is why there has been so much hubbub in the media for the past few years.
Tonight (Tuesday) those who are interested in the topic can learn more about the potential benefits and shortcomings of Alabama oil-sands. The program will be conducted by the Colbert County Extension Office at Tuscumbia’s Round House at 204 W. 5th Street.
Dense Bitumen seeps from rocks in North Alabama because it is found so close to the surface. As the oil sand formations proceed southward, they move deeper underground.
OIl sands are rock formations that contain a dense oily substance called bitumen. Bitumen is a naturally occurring form of asphalt. It is a sticky, black, highly viscous liquid form of petroleum. It is the same stuff that is found in Los Angeles’ famous La Brea Tar Pits.
Some of tonight’s meeting topics will cover:
Potential development of oil sands in Northwest Alabama.
Status of regulations being developed for this industry.
Factual, science-based information relevant to the oil sands industry from a number of Governmental agencies.
There has been a lot of inaccurate circulating about Alabama oil-sands mining from both sides of the issue. The Colbert County Commission invites folks who are interested in this new industry to come to the meeting and hear what the experts themselves have to say about the topic.
