Oil sands, also known as tar sands, are a type of unconventional petroleum deposit that is composed of sand or sediment that contains a mixture of crude bitumen and other hydrocarbons. The term “sand” in this context refers to the texture of the deposit rather than its composition – it is not made up of conventional sand particles, but instead consists of a dense, viscous substance that can be extracted through mining or drilling operations.
Oil sands are found primarily in Canada and Venezuela, although there are smaller deposits located elsewhere around the world. The extraction process for oil sands is more complex than traditional methods used to extract conventional crude oil, as it requires heating and processing of the bitumen before it can be refined into usable products such as gasoline or diesel fuel.
Overall, “oil sands” refers to a unique type of petroleum deposit that is characterized by its viscous texture and the specialized methods required for extraction and processing.