Alberta oil sands hydrological research

Extraction of bitumen from the Alberta Oil Sands by surface mining will have a major impact on the hydrology of the areas immediately adjacent to each mine, and an impact on any drainage system receiving discharge from the mining or processing areas. Conversely, the hydrology will have a major impact on the mining operations. The exact nature of the impacts is difficult to evaluate, because: (a) both surface and subsurface hydrologic systems of the lower Athabasca River basin are poorly known, (b) the exact nature, amounts and ultimate fate of effluent and tailings materials are uncertain, (c) the degree of utilization of the waters within each basin and the possible physical changes to each basin ate essentially unknown, and (d) the nature and stability of the post-mining landscape, including particularly the success of reclamation and revegetation is open to speculation. In fact, at present we cannot predict even the simpler natural hydrologic characteristics of the river, nor do we have any real idea of the effect of the effluents produced by the oil sands plants. In this context, we generally conclude that the main initial emphasis of hydrologic studies should be on gathering sufficient information that the questions implied in items (a), (b) and (c) can be answered, and hence item (d) appraised. Sufficient data are needed to simulate surface runoff through the mining areas and to simulate groundwater flow systems in the mining areas; background data are needed on the physical and chemical characteristics of rivers and streams to determine present status, and so that pollution loads and other changes can be monitored. It is necessary to know, among other things: flood flows, to decide on the needs for and designs of stream diversions; the low-flow characteristics streams, for pollution control; and the severity of ice runs, again for flood information and diversion designs. To obtain this information, a general two-phase approach is needed: (1) an inventory of the hydrologic resources in the drainage basins likely to be affected by mining in the near future, and also in the Peace-Athabasca delta, and (2) a detailed examination of existing operations, to study water use and water wastes, including drainage of mining areas, tailings ponds, etc. To achieve this, specific study topics are set out below (in outline only, due to time constraints). These research needs should be formulated more specifically as projects, including scope, method, precision and timing before they are allocated and funded. In this respect, to help ensure that the desired results will be obtained and to obtain some measure of continuity, task force members consider that their respective agencies should have the opportunity of contributing more specifically to project formulation. Beyond this, hydrologic research needs will become apparent from the results of the first-phase investigations and the detailed nature of the mining developments. Definition of these needs is thus a continuing process; this report should not be considered the definitive and final document, but rather the initiation of a spectrum of projects. It was particularly noted, however, that time and again discussion ultimately and inevitably led back to one key issue – the nature and disposition of the tailings and plant effluents. These will determine the size of development impact on the hydrologic system – either directly, or indirectly through the degree of success of reclamation, which is intimately dependent on the nature of the solids and liquids left in the mined-out regions. The research needs are set out in two groups – (1) describing existing hydrologic resources and (2) development impact studies. Within these two groups listing is in descending order of priority

Alberta oil sands climatological and meteorological research

One oil extraction plant (GCOS) has been in operation for several years, the go-ahead has just been given for a second plant (Syncrude), a third (Shell) has an application pending, and the current energy crises may well accelerate the rate at which additional plants go into production during the next decade. This poses the problem of how to develop the oil sands on an economic basis while ensuring a minimum of undesirable effects on the total environment of the oil sands area and the surrounding region. This report will concern itself only with the atmospheric environment and where necessary with the interface between the atmosphere and the earth’s surface in terms of absorption or deposition of pollution. Although \"containment at source\" is the most effective way of protecting the atmospheric environment, current technology does not allow achievement of this goal either today or probably for some considerable time in the future. To be realistic we must therefore accept the fact that some pollution will enter the atmosphere. The basic question to be answered is: \"How much can reasonably be allowed?\" The emissions from the present plant under normal operating conditions are approximately 350 long tons of SO2 per day. Under upset conditions the plant is allowed to emit at the rate of up to 930 long tons of SO2 per day for short periods. Values for the proposed Syncrude plant will be only slightly less. Thus, while the present plant is emitting at a rate of less than one-tenth that of the Sudbury area, the combined effect of several plants in a small confined area of the Athabasca Valley could produce within ten years total emissions approaching those of the Sudbury area, or even exceeding them in the case of upset. It is therefore essential that the environmental degradation that has occurred in the Sudbury area not be allowed to occur in the Alberta Oil Sands. To do this I the maximum possible use will have to be made of meteorological knowledge for the location, design and operation of the extraction plants, in order that the effects of air pollution in the area are minimized

Fort McMurray Athabasca Tar Sands Development Strategy

The basic premise is that the demand for synthetic crude oil is from markets external to Canada, consequently one primary objective and five secondary objectives are suggested: 1. Alberta should regulate and control the Athabasca tar sands development for the socio-economic benefit of Albertans. 2. The social benefits accruing to Albertans should be inherent in the development of the resource and the associated urban development. 3. The rate and direction of the development should be dependent on Canada's ability to participate economically and on Alberta's requirements for economic development. 4. The development should result in a net long term benefit and improvement to Alberta's physical and ecological environment. 5. The evolvement of tar sand technology should be led by Canadian technologists for the benefit of Canadians. 6. The development should be an integration of community, industry and government. In suggesting these objectives there is an explicit recognition of the continuous requirement for balancing the concept of \"investor confidence\" and \"controlled development\". Investor confidence must be maintained if the resource development is to complement and supplement the socio-economic development requirements of Albertans. These objectives are used in projecting a development strategy which envisages a much slower rate of development than suggested by foreign markets. The orderly development rate is regulated by the first and third objective based on the basic premise. The rate of development of one plant in every four years is consistent with present technology and construction requirements

Tar Sands Reclamation Research Task Force Report

The Honourable Mr. Yurko has requested the Conservation and Utilization Committee to establish an interdepartmental task force or project team with additional membership from the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry and others, if necessary, to define our applied research proposal which the government could propose to Great Canadian Oil Sands and possibly Syncrude for their joint participation. Mr. Yurko has expressed the desire to have the proposal adequately defined by the end of January. Although the Committee was of the opinion that in most cases the onus should be on the developer for his own reclamation research program, the Committee also recognizes that it may be helpful to the developer to define what the content of the research project should be. The Committee was cautioned that reclamation is highly situational due to climatic and materials variations. The Committee has agreed to set up a project team to determine what a tar sands reclamation research project should entail, with membership from the Departments of Agriculture, Lands and Forests, and Environment as well as from the Agricultural and Forestry Faculties of the University of Alberta, the Federal Forestry Research Laboratory in Edmonton, and the Research Council of Alberta. It was suggested that the project team specifically take into consideration the fact that the primary onus for the research should be placed on the industry.\" The research topics recommended are 1isted under main subject area headings. Where field aspects of certain research projects, such as on establishing life in tailings ponds, cannot yet be undertaken, estimated dates of fieldwork start are given. Most topics, if not already begun, can and should be initiated in 1973. More emphasis is placed on field programs than on greenhouse studies, because of the nature of the problems involved. However, some topics can only be studied by laboratory methods for several years, until field sites become available