Water Use

Syncrude is the oil sands industry’s most efficient user of water, consuming 2.28 cubic metres for every cubic metre of fully upgraded synthetic crude oil produced in 2005. Our total water import for the year decreased by 8.4 per cent to 28 million cubic metres. New and more efficient equipment and processes enabled the gains. Currently, about 85 per cent of our water needs are met by a continuous recycle system.

Water Conservation Efforts

Implementing new technologies The 2003 installation of a new rinse water monitoring system in our water treatment plant has reduced water intake by 700,000 cubic metres annually. At a cost of $50,000, the system ensures optimum use of the water when rinsing key equipment in the plant. Another initiative is focusing on retrofi tting one of our cooling towers. Planned for between 2007 and 2009, the $4 million project is expected to cut water losses by 50 per cent. This will reduce raw water consumption by 1.4 million cubic metres annually.

Expansion of Syncrude’s crude oil output will require an increase in our import of raw water in future years, but our plans are to remain within our current license limits.

To foster ongoing efficiency, Syncrude established a water conservation taskforce in 2003. This group has updated water conservation and recovery systems, increased our use of recycled water, and identified areas for future reductions in water consumption. These efforts are conserving a valuable natural resource, while at the same time realizing cost savings for Syncrude.

Regional Aquatics Monitoring Program

Results for 2004 (the latest available) from the Regional Aquatics Monitoring Program (RAMP) are similar to previous years, showing little, if any, identified impact from oil sands development. Monitoring focuses on climate and hydrology, water and sediment quality, benthic invertebrate communities and fish populations. Further information about monitoring of regional aquatic systems can be found on the RAMP website at www.ramp-alberta.org.

RAMP was established in 1997 to assess and monitor the health of boreal aquatic ecosystems in the region undergoing oil sands development. Its membership represents industry, government and community stakeholders.

Water Use

Actions taken by Syncrude in response to stakeholder concerns raised during our stakeholder engagement processes are noted throughout this report; these actions are indicated by the symbol.