Fort McMurray
Fort McMurray, Fort McMurray, AB, T9H 3G1
The world's largest oil deposits have literally put this northern Alberta city on the map.
Category:
Recreation Location
Where:
| Getting There | | Take highway 63 northeast of Edmonton. |
Profile Last Updated: March 20, 2007
The City
About 450 kms north of Edmonton, on Hwy. 63, lies the town of Fort McMurray, which grew up around the Athabasca oil sands - the largest single oil deposit in the world. The oil is actually bitumen, a heavy oil whose extraction requires an expensive, lengthy process; the deposits consist of compacted sand mixed with the bitumen. The sand is brought to the surface, where the bitumen is separated and treated to produce a lighter, more useful oil. The one trillion barrels of bitumen in the sands promise a vital supply of future energy needs.
What to Do
The Fort McMurray Oil Sands Interpretive Centre (mid-May to early Sept) explains the extraction process, and much more, through colourful hands-on exhibits. The sheer size and potential of the operations are evident from the mining equipment and seven-storey bucket-wheel extractor on display. Tours of the Suncor/Syncrude Sand Plant are also possible (Jun to Aug); contact Visitors Centre at 1-800-565-3947.
What Else?
Near Fort McMurray is Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada's largest national park and one of the largest in the world at 44,807 square kilometres.
About 450 kms north of Edmonton, on Hwy. 63, lies the town of Fort McMurray, which grew up around the Athabasca oil sands - the largest single oil deposit in the world. The oil is actually bitumen, a heavy oil whose extraction requires an expensive, lengthy process; the deposits consist of compacted sand mixed with the bitumen. The sand is brought to the surface, where the bitumen is separated and treated to produce a lighter, more useful oil. The one trillion barrels of bitumen in the sands promise a vital supply of future energy needs.
What to Do
The Fort McMurray Oil Sands Interpretive Centre (mid-May to early Sept) explains the extraction process, and much more, through colourful hands-on exhibits. The sheer size and potential of the operations are evident from the mining equipment and seven-storey bucket-wheel extractor on display. Tours of the Suncor/Syncrude Sand Plant are also possible (Jun to Aug); contact Visitors Centre at 1-800-565-3947.
What Else?
Near Fort McMurray is Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada's largest national park and one of the largest in the world at 44,807 square kilometres.
Details
Trivia: Former home of model-actress Natasha Henstridge.
