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Syncrude diverted 32.5 million cubic metres of water from the Athabasca River for industrial processing and on-site drinking water purposes in 2003. This compares favourably with 40.7 million cubic metres in 2002. This reduction of more than eight million cubic metres (about 20 per cent) in river water use is mostly attributable to improved management of Syncrude’s recycle water ponds system as well as the implementation of water conservation initiatives throughout our operation. A site-wide water management program was initiated in 2003 that aims to balance future river water needs with our ability to reuse process-affected water.
While our plans to increase crude oil production also will likely increase our total import of river water to near license limits, Syncrude continues to make more efficient use of imported water and is an oil sands industry leader in this area. Indeed, Syncrude uses two cubic metres of river water for every cubic metre of bitumen we produce. Data submitted to regulators by other existing and proposed oil sands surface mining operations suggests that Syncrude’s water use per cubic metre of bitumen produced is less than half that of the industry average.
In support of Syncrude’s future water conservation goals, Syncrude is in the process of identifying additional capital projects that will enable further efficiencies in our use of water, as well as greater recovery and recycle of this water from our processes. These actions also may lead to reductions in our import of river water.
Syncrude does not inject any water into reservoirs, an action that permanently removes water from the hydrologic cycle. Water that we do not recycle is either evaporated as steam or placed back into the landscape. Syncrude also does not discharge any process-affected water into river systems.
As referenced in our 2002 report, a study to determine the minimum river water flow necessary to meet industrial requirements is currently underway by the Cumulative Effects Management Association. Findings from the study are expected in 2005.
River Water Quality
Syncrude is a lead participant in the Regional Aquatics Monitoring Program, a multi-party group of oil sands developers, First Nations, environmental groups and regulators whose mandate is to assess and respond to potential effects of oil sands development on rivers and lakes in the oil sands region. The Program recently released a report of studies undertaken in 2002, which encompassed water bodies throughout the entire Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Extensive data was collected on fish and fish habitat, water and sediment quality, water dwelling insects, wetland vegetation, river and lake chemistry, and water flow and climate.
Data continues to be collected and it contributes to a growing body of information that will help stakeholders compare industry performance with predictions contained within environmental impact assessments. It also will enable oil sands developers to respond to community concerns.
Overall, findings to date suggest oil sands development is having negligible impact on rivers and lakes. A summary of these findings can be viewed at www.ramp-alberta.org
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