106 - The International Resource Journal

FEBRUARY 2013 The International Resource Journal161The plant itself is located just outside ofVernal, an oil and gas town in the state’s North.“They’re very pro- what we’re doing,” says Bailey.MCW’s scalable oil sands operations couldrepresent a considerable economic boost for Utahand this initial development of the state’s resourcesdovetails well into America’s focus on enhancingits level of energy independence.At time of writing, MCW has prepared the sitewith road access and obtained all the necessarypermits. The major components have arrived onsite, ready for assembly, and the additional componentsand systems are being supplied by localmanufacturers. The company has laid down theplant’s concrete foundation and is now completingthe electrical systems. MCW expects to have itsextraction unit operating by the end of February.In the meantime, MCW is getting its message out.According to Bailey, 2013 will be its year to spreadthe word. “Canada will be one of the first groupsto be watching us, not only for surface oil sandsextraction, but for remedial projects dealing withthe extensive tailings pond applications. Albertarepresents a very logical opportunity for joint businessventures,” he says.and its ability to meet the demands of environmentalgroups for cleaner extraction methods while theglobal demand for oil increases, especially in Chinaand India. In particular, MCW’s technology representsa benchmark as a solution, to the lesseningof the US’s dependence on foreign oil. He speaks ofthe Asphalt Ridge lease as an opportunity to demonstratethe technology’s potential.“Let us prove that it’s real. In the US, nobodywants to mess with hauling and treating dirt. Inthe past, it’s been a lot easier to stick with conventionaloil production with drilling. Now, as demandfor energy is growing worldwide, and as oil sandstechnology has been rapidly improved, the developmentof America’s oil sands has become a viablereality… it would be a very big deal to reduceAmerica’s oil imports. Technologies such as theone that MCW is bringing to the table will go a longway in narrowing the gap.”www.mcwenergygroup.comLicensing the technologyBailey sees MCW’s technology as having a greatpotential because of its efficient production costs