Syncrude Canada pioneers unique land reclamation in oil sands
Bison grazing in a former pit set an inspiring example for bitumen mines to use ‘game-changing’ reclamation methods
The ERCB can now put delinquent or tardy operations on an increased inspection schedule, refuse a company’s request for upgrades, and even shut an operation down. But of course neither side wants any of those potential consequences to happen. To avoid any lack of compliance as a result of impractical or unrealistic rules, the ERCB took pains to consult with the oil sands companies. The exercise established detailed environmental goals and measures in order to create a directive that was feasible.
“When putting together regulations we make sure they are fair, that they are technically accurate, and that they are achievable by industry,” says Sheremata. “The last thing you want to do is arbitrarily increase your standards in a way that industry can’t live up to. That would simply result in widespread non-compliance for no reason.”
While industry was consulted, it doesn’t mean that living up to this new accountability will be easy. In addition to keeping up with their promised targets, oil sands developers will have to manage their tailings in sites known as Dedicated Disposal Areas (DDAs) according to industry wide goals.
DDAs are set aside for deposits of captured fines or particles left by the process of separating oil from sand. The material is more solid than liquid tailings, a yogurt-like blend of water and the plants’ initial microscopic grains of waste. Captured fines must be movable and ready for reclamation five years after deposits have ceased. According to the directive, which also defines what constitutes ‘ready for reclamation,’ operators had until September 30 to submit how they plan to satisfy the requirement. And throughout the process, plant operators will have to prove that they are following their own plan.
“This has really ramped things up in the industry,” says Randy Mikula, a research scientist with Natural Resources Canada who specializes in extraction and tailings. “Now tailings will be managed the same way that bitumen production is.”
The directive hasn’t caused a scramble among operators, since all companies already had reclamation plans in place. But it has increased pressure to improve reclamation methods and technologies.
Martindale is manager of environment and regulatory compliance at Shell Albian Sands muskeg river mine. The sight he is talking about is a patch of dirt no bigger than a small soccer field that a six-year-old might play on.
Issue ContentsRelated Posts
Energy Resources Conservation Board puts new Air Monitoring Units on Alberta roads • December, 2009
Go Forth and Prosper – This Boom Still Has Legs • September, 2008
Entries