Oilsands And The Environment
The Alberta Oilsands and the Environment
One of the industries in Canada that faces scrutiny for environmental issues is the Alberta Oilsands. The four major players of the Oilsands, Suncor, Shell, Cenovus and Canadian Natural Resources have been the key leaders in the development of the Oilsands in Alberta. They have also been a huge part of the Government of Alberta’s Plan for Climate Change. “Industry has seen results from working together,” said Murray Edwards, Chairman, Canadian Natural. “This announcement removes barriers for collaboration with a broader group of stakeholders. We are all now working together to realize the full value provided by the oil and natural gas industry, including jobs, economic benefits and government revenues
in a way that addresses the challenges associated with climate change.” (Nov 2015, Shell Media Centre website)
Upon looking deeper, I chose to review Canadian Natural Resources Environmental Plans at the Horizon Project. This Project was interesting as it was the first ever opportunity I was involved in during the initial development stages as one of the contractor’s building it’s wells to pump out the reservoirs after the production process. The Horizon Project rationale was to build a future in the economic growth of the oil industry and in Alberta specifically. The project spanned from 2004 to 2011 for development and its environmental aspects management plan included working with the local Aboriginal communities to ensure no negative impacts to the eco structure of the geographical areas. Many years and efforts were spent working with these communities to develop a reclamation project while the commissioning of Horizon was conducted. The economic growth to the community employed over 20,000 plus from across Canada for over 7 years and it is expected to continue for over 42 years more during operations. Estimated revenues for all levels of the government, operations and employment are expected to be over 24 billion dollars. The additional factors of transportation of goods, re-sale in the global economy and reducing carbon emissions were all part of their Environmental Plan. The mere fact that the four largest oilsands producers are working together to reduce the carbon footprint in Alberta and to improve the quality of life (economically and environmentally) for the future is a major coup for Canada. As a participant in this project, I know the efforts made to reduce environmental impacts was a key component of our contract. After several years since inception, it is interesting to see the end result of this project.
One of the industries in Canada that faces scrutiny for environmental issues is the Alberta Oilsands. The four major players of the Oilsands, Suncor, Shell, Cenovus and Canadian Natural Resources have been the key leaders in the development of the Oilsands in Alberta. They have also been a huge part of the Government of Alberta’s Plan for Climate Change. “Industry has seen results from working together,” said Murray Edwards, Chairman, Canadian Natural. “This announcement removes barriers for collaboration with a broader group of stakeholders. We are all now working together to realize the full value provided by the oil and natural gas industry, including jobs, economic benefits and government revenues
in a way that addresses the challenges associated with climate change.” (Nov 2015, Shell Media Centre website)
Upon looking deeper, I chose to review Canadian Natural Resources Environmental Plans at the Horizon Project. This Project was interesting as it was the first ever opportunity I was involved in during the initial development stages as one of the contractor’s building it’s wells to pump out the reservoirs after the production process. The Horizon Project rationale was to build a future in the economic growth of the oil industry and in Alberta specifically. The project spanned from 2004 to 2011 for development and its environmental aspects management plan included working with the local Aboriginal communities to ensure no negative impacts to the eco structure of the geographical areas. Many years and efforts were spent working with these communities to develop a reclamation project while the commissioning of Horizon was conducted. The economic growth to the community employed over 20,000 plus from across Canada for over 7 years and it is expected to continue for over 42 years more during operations. Estimated revenues for all levels of the government, operations and employment are expected to be over 24 billion dollars. The additional factors of transportation of goods, re-sale in the global economy and reducing carbon emissions were all part of their Environmental Plan. The mere fact that the four largest oilsands producers are working together to reduce the carbon footprint in Alberta and to improve the quality of life (economically and environmentally) for the future is a major coup for Canada. As a participant in this project, I know the efforts made to reduce environmental impacts was a key component of our contract. After several years since inception, it is interesting to see the end result of this project.