Oil Sands Facilities Research Articles

An airborne assessment of atmospheric particulate emissions from the processing of Athabasca oil sands

Abstract. During the Arctic Research of the Composition of the Troposphere from Aircraft and Satellites (ARCTAS) campaign, two NASA research aircraft, a DC-8 and a P-3B, were outfitted with extensive trace gas (the DC-8) and aerosol (both aircraft) instrumentation. Each aircraft spent about a half hour sampling air around the oil sands mining and upgrading facilities near Ft. McMurray, Alberta, Canada. The DC-8 circled the area, while the P-3B flew directly over the upgrading plants, sampling close to the exhaust stacks, then headed downwind to monitor the aerosol as it aged. At short range, the plume from the oil sands is a complex mosaic of freshly nucleated ultrafine particles from a SO2- and NO2-rich plume, soot and possibly fly ash from industrial processes, and dust from dirt roads and mining operations. Shortly downwind, organic aerosol appears in quantities that rival SO4, either as volatile organic vapors condense or as they react with the H2SO4. The DC-8 pattern allowed us to integrate total flux from the oil sands facilities within about a factor of 2 uncertainty that spanned values consistent with 2008 estimates from reported SO2 and NO2 emissions, though there is no reason to expect one flyby to represent average conditions. In contrast, CO fluxes exceeded reported regional emissions, due either to variability in production or sources missing from the emissions inventory. The conversion rate of SO2 to aerosol SO4 of ~6% per hour is consistent with earlier reports, though OH concentrations are insufficient to accomplish this. Other oxidation pathways must be active. Altogether, organic aerosol and black carbon emissions from the oil sands operations are small compared with annual forest fire emissions in Canada. The oil sands do contribute significant sulfate and exceed fire production of SO2 by an order of magnitude.

A wintertime investigation of atmospheric deposition of metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region, Canada

With planned expansion of oil sands facilities, there is interest in being able to characterize the magnitude and extent of deposition of metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) of Alberta. A study was undertaken using a bulk collection system to characterize wintertime atmospheric deposition of selected inorganic and organic contaminants in the AOSR. The study was carried out from January to March 2012 at two sampling sites near (within a 20km circle of oil sands development) and two sampling sites distant (>45km) to oil sands development. Triplicate bulk samplers were used to estimate precision of the method at one distant site. Monthly deposition samples were analyzed for 36 metals, ultra-low mercury, and 25 PAHs (including alkylated, and parent PAH). At the two sites located within 20km of oil sands development, 3-month wintertime integrated deposition for some priority metals, alkylated and parent PAH were higher compared to distant sites. Deposition fluxes of metals and PAH were compared to other available bulk deposition studies worldwide. Median bulk measurement uncertainties of metals and both PAH classes were 26% and within ±15%, respectively suggesting that the bulk sampling method is a potential alternative for obtaining future direct measures of wintertime metals and PAH deposition at locations without access to power in the AOSR.

Health And Safety: Attention to Small Details Can Prevent Big Problems

Managing health and safety issues is a critical part of doing business in the 1990s. The implications for a business not implementing a solid health and safety program point toward increased injuries, high costs and potential long-term liabilities for the company. A health and safety program is an important component of the management system for many types of businesses, but the range and scale of issues are diverse: the issues at a chemical plant will be different from those at an oil sands facility, and different again for a mine site. Health and safety concerns may change again when the project or facility is in another region or country. As a group of consulting companies that operates internationally, Golder Associates' employees must be trained on several levels, including the health and safety policies of the client, issues of the client's specific project/facility, and they must be thoroughly proficient in Golder Associates' own health and safety program. These three levels provide staff members with the knowledge and skills necessary to prevent losses and injuries, and can provide significant benefits for the company. Does Your Program Measure Up? If your company has already implemented a health and safety program, or is interested in reassessing it, you may want to ask the following questions:Does senior management fully support the program?Does your company have a Health and Safety Committee?Do you provide comprehensive and continual training for employees?Do you evaluate your program/plan and your training to ensure continual improvement?Does your training include the following programs, and/or should it include others?Workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS).Transportation of dangerous goods (TDG).Hazardous waste operations and emergency response to comply with occupational safety and health administration (OSHA).Accident investigation.Hydrogen suphide training.Confined space entry.First aid and CPR.Bear awareness.Boat safety.Are Certificates of Training issued to staff members?Is hazard identification a component of your program?Do you provide personal protective equipment (PPE) that stands up to chemical and toxicological hazards, including personal respirators designed for the individual?Accessing regulatory environmental compliance. Figure (Available in full paper) A Challenging Project A project in an oilfield in Kazakhstan recently posed a health and safety challenge for 'a Golder Associates project team. Potential exposure to asbestos, hydrocarbons and radioactive materials meant a detailed health and safety plan specific to the site had to be developed well in advance of project startup, and all personal protective equipment and monitoring equipment was shipped to the location before the team left Canada. Unanticipated hazards were addressed once the project team arrived. Such proactive planning can decrease project costs, and potential injuries. Small Details == Big Savings An Employee Assistance Program is one health and safety program component that assists with additional health concerns not covered by provincial health plans or extended health benefits. It may include assistance with stress management, family relationship conflicts, grief and loss, emotional and psychological distress, alcohol and drug abuse, and career/financial counselling.