E.R.O.I and The Tar Sands Questions

1.)We should extract the tar sands first because it has a higher EROI than shale has (5 to 3 in a ratio form). We should also use tar sands on top of the higher EROI because that cheaper/more efficient energy source will help in the long run in switching towards renewable energy sources, chiefly because the more efficient energy source will benefit investors/the overall economy more.  

2.)One similarity between the process used to get oil from tar sands and the process used to get oil from oil shale is that both are initially heated tremendously to break up the materials the oil is attached to, so the oil can be extracted and further refined later. 

3.)One key difference between the process used to get oil from tar sands and the process used to get oil from oil shale is that tar sands oil requires the bitumen (a heavy form of oil) to be further "upgraded" before it can be refined, upgrading that involves "adding methane or hydrogen to the bitumen to create lighter oil" which can more easily be refined.

4.)In terms of EROI, the author believes "off-shore oil drilling may be a smart way to actually reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the long run" because it could drive away energy intensive business that would produce their products elsewhere, but this would be done less carbon efficient than if done in our economy. Another reason why off-shore drilling could help lower emission is that there is an energy demand that can'not easily be replaced by renewables quickly so fossil fuels will continue to be used regardless of our desire (the market demands it), and if we use less efficient fuel sources (lower EROI) like tar sands than we pay more in refining that material into a fuel source then we would otherwise spend in mining the more efficient off-shore sources.  

5.)One way in which EROI/BFP has affected me on an individual level is by explaining which homework assignments I do first. The best first principle means in most instances I will do the easiest more gratifying homework fist than work on the more labor intensive assignments, ex if I have to choose between writing an Essay, a short paragraph, and doing 3 math question (and i have to do all three) I will do the math first, and work towards the longer assignments last.