Hi from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

[Baki Ozum <apexeng@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear David Parkhurst,

I thank you for today's he telephone conversation.  I hope this e-mail
will set the communication between us.

I need a copy of your report: "User's Guide to Phreeqc (Version 2")", by
David L. Parkhurst and C. J.. Appelo, Water-Resources Investigations
Report 99-4259, USGS, Denver, Colorado (1999) and the most recent
version of the computer program to calculate equilibrium composition in
aquatic systems.

We are interested in predicting composition of the release water
recovered from the oil sands tailings (originally 20 % solids, of which
50 % fines, i.e. smaller than 44 micron).  After chemically treating the
oil sands tailings with Ca(OH)2 and CO2, the sludge (tailings) is
thickened using a suitable thickener.  Both the chemical treatment and
the thickener are invented by Apex Engineering Inc. of Edmonton,
Alberta, Canada.

The release water composition is an important element of the whole
process.  This water has to be treated (with CO2 and/or Na2CO3) so that
its Ca2+ ion concentration must be reduced to an acceptable level.  Ca2+
ions in the water is a problem, because it reduces the bitumen
extraction efficiency of the extraction (hot water or low energy)
process.

I will provide you more information about the oil sands operation, if
needed.

I think, this much of information would give you some feelings about the
importance of your help.  Your cooperation in this matter would be
greatly appreciated.

Sincerely your.

Baki Ozum, P.Eng.,Ph.D.
Apex Engineering Inc.
234 Westridge Road
Edmonton, Alberta T5T 1C1
Canada
Ph. 780-481-8574
Fx: 780-481-0988