Scenarios about 'oil sands'

Oil sands are unconventional petroleum deposits consisting of sand, clay, water, and bitumen that require specialized extraction and processing techniques. These reserves, found primarily in Canada and Venezuela, became increasingly important to global energy markets as conventional oil production plateaued and technological advancements made extraction more economically viable. In alternate history scenarios, different development timelines of oil sands technology could significantly alter energy geopolitics, environmental policies, and the economic trajectories of resource-rich nations.