Alberta to increase in- situ oilsands monitoring after study finds contaminants
EDMONTON — Alberta has promised to increase environmental monitoring of the in-situ oilsands industry following research that shows such plants can release contaminants into the land and water.
“It’s a clear red flag that’s something’s going on and we need to look into it,” said Bill Donahue of Alberta Environment’s monitoring and science division.
On Monday, the University of Ottawa released a study on a small lake near Cold Lake, Alta., where there has been extensive in-situ development.
Such mining involves injecting high-pressure, high-temperature steam underground to soften bitumen enough so that it can be pumped to the surface. Most of Alberta’s production is now driven by steam, not giant trucks and shovels, and most of the industry’s future expansion is expected to involve in-situ techniques.