Evolution of Reclamation Practices in NE Alberta

Transcription

1 Evolution of Reclamation Practices in NE Alberta Alfred Burk Reclamation and Remediation Coordinator CAPFT Edmonton April 14, 2011

2 Agenda Introduction to Cenovus Energy Reclamation in the Green Zone Forestry in the Patch Landscape Expectations and Reclamation Endpoints Evolution and Innovation in Reclamation Closing

3 Introduction to Cenovus Energy New kid on the block as of Dec 2009 Extensive land base in Green and White zones Large position in NE Alberta Production by SAGD 3500 staff Corporate Commitments Rigourous- do what we say, focus, think ahead, work together and safely Respectful- doing right by the environment and communities where we live and work Ready- embrace fresh thinking and new ideas

4 About Cenovus Energy Canadian oil company, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta Operations include oil sands drilling projects in northern Alberta Established natural gas and oil production in Alberta and Saskatchewan Ownership in two refineries in the United States Cenovus land This graphic is for illustration purposes only. Land as of December 31, 2010.

5 Reclamation in the Green Zone Definition Reclamation: The process of improving disturbed land (soil, vegetation, water) to achieve land capability equivalent to the predisturbed condition or for a specified end land use. Reclamation

6 Reclamation in the Green Zone Land governance SRD, AENV, ERCB, IOGC Under lease as specified land Considerations in development of energy resources How to access the resource Footprint reduction Reclamation techniques for revegetation success Shortening reclamation life cycle

7 Reclamation in the Green Zone Change from conventional business Pad wells and SAGD (Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage) Two wells- one hot steam injector (upper well), one recovery Stratigraphic/Oilsands Exploration Wells Delineation of the oil resource Winter drilling and access

8 Reclamation in the Green Zone SAGD Foster Creek well pad: 9 well pairs on one site of acres Accesses 185 acres underground

9 Forestry in the Patch Role of forest specialists is critical Silviculture, but not entirely based on end-product Some key elements to successful reclamation Know the business Understand your challenge Recognize and live/work within your limitations Know your strengths Be flexible and adaptive Hire competent people with desire and proven track record More development, more green zone reclamation

10 Landscape Expectations- Stakeholders Disposition users and end land use FMA holders First Nations Parks Trappers Other Industrial Consideration for features left in place Well pads Borrow areas Regulation

11 Landscape Expectations- Reclamation Regulation by AENV and SRD (IOGC same as Alberta) Applies to all specified lands under disposition and utilized No Entry MSL MSL PLA LOC

12 Landscape Expectations- Reclamation Reclamation process Assessment Cleanup/remediation Reclamation Regulation Reclamation Criteria Outline provincial expectations Change and updates

13 Landscape Expectations- Reclamation Post reclamation Detailed Site Assessment (peatland or forested) Aerial overview with ground truthing Landscape, soil and vegetation assessment soil depths, placement, quality species composition re-establishment of forest trajectory utilize adjacent areas and control data compatible contour erosion and landscape stability waste management

14 Reclamation Challenge- And Evolution Assessment and Remediation prior to Reclamation Management and remediation of impacted soils or water Closure to AENV Criteria

15 Landscape Expectations- Reclamation Active reclamation of specified lands

16 Reclamation Challenge- And Evolution Regulation Changing construction methods Mulching Seeding grass Reforestation Planting Natural regen

17 Reclamation Challenge- And Evolution Compatible landscapes

18 Reclamation Challenge- And Evolution Lease that was mulched (~5 yrs)

19 Reclamation Challenge- And Evolution Now, aim for more ecologically functional landscape Equivalent capability Encourage natural regeneration of under and overstory species Coarse debris management Seed by seed management zone

20 Reclamation Challenge- And Evolution Encourage surface roughness, lots of rollback and coarse woody debris

21 Reclamation Challenge- And Evolution Mulch management

22 Reclamation Challenge- And Evolution Mounding Trial for Wet Sites Site prep by mounding/inversion Poorly productive sites

23 CLAWR Soil Mounding Study Tree Planting Soil mounds were planted with black spruce and tamarack A portion of the non-mounded area was planted with the same species

24 CLAWR Soil Mounding Study Data Collection All planted trees were measured for: Stem diameter Seedling height Current annual growth

25 CLAWR Soil Mounding Study Greater seedling survival on mounds Mounding also: Larger stem diameter on mounds Improved wildlife utilization Reduced competition Sites 2 & 3 had more CAG on mounds

26 Reclamation Challenge- And Evolution Ice build Coarse woody debris tracked and broken by CAT

27 Reclamation Challenge- And Evolution Ice-built pad preparation for OSE well drilling for wet/organic/peat land sites Ice cap within and above walked-down trees Ice cap Mineral fringe CAT Walked-down trees Organic/Muskeg

28 Reclamation Challenge- And Evolution Iced lease, post drill, ripped

29 Alternative Access Alternative Access Concept purpose-built trails and roads advance planning and consultation prior, detailed consideration for landscape characteristics reduce soil, water, vegetation and habitat disturbance accelerate deactivation of older, redundant linear features use local knowledge and local trades low impact, sustainable development create a better reclamation ready end product

30 Consideration for landscape characteristics

31 Current paradigm Access subsequent to development Landscape characteristics not considered

32 Aggressive equipment

33 Aggressive equipment photo:

34 Aggressive equipment

35 Soil, water, and vegetation disturbance

36 Optimized crossing locations

37 Small equipment, local knowledge

38 Beneficial use of trees No mulching

39 Continued innovation Photo courtesy of Highmark 39

40 Reclamation Challenge- And Evolution Heli-portable reclamation

41 Reclamation Challenge- And Evolution Heli-portable reclamation

42 Reclamation Challenge- And Evolution Heli-portable reclamation and purpose-built

43 Closing Lots of good reclamation techniques Work within the setting Innovate by understanding the environmental conditions, pay attention to detail Differentiate indicators of success and leverage opportunities for improvement into best practices

44 Thank you!