Non-traditional Oils: Analysis of Regional Distribution and Reserves of Heavy Oil and Natural Bitumen

Abstract

The spatial distribution of heavy oils and natural bitumen’s depending on their reserves is analyzed. It is shown that due to the deterioration of the structure of the reserve in the direction of increasing the share of hard-to-recover oils, the role of heavy oils and natural bitumen’s in the overall hydrocarbon balance increases. Analysis of reserves showed that most of their world reserves are concentrated in Canada, Venezuela, and Russia. The results of studies of the distribution patterns of heavy oils and natural bitumen’s can be used in improving methods of field search and in solving other problems of the oil industry.