Mining disturbance in Alberta's oil sands region has significant land impacts. Industry is legally obligated to reclaim all disturbed land to a productive state, and return it to the Government of Alberta. Mines are often in operation for decades and reclamation activities on these sites can subsequently take decades to complete.
Fort Nelson, BC -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/09/2015 -- As the oil sands industry has matured, reclamation efforts are accelerating. As of December 31, 2013, about 82 square kilometers are under active reclamation, and significant investment by industry and government enables continual improvement in reclamation technology and techniques.
The oil sands underlie a 142,200 km2 area in northeastern Alberta. The oil sands surface mining area is limited to a 4,800 km2 region near Fort McMurray – 813 km2 was cleared, disturbed, or ready for reclamation as of December 31, 2013 (~0.2 per cent of Alberta's boreal forest).
About 82km2 is under active reclamation.
Industry has planted more than 12 million tree seedlings towards reclamation efforts.
80 per cent of the oil sands are accessible by in situ methods only (bitumen is separated from the sand underground and pumped to the surface).
In situ's land disturbance is 10 to 15 per cent of a similar sized mining operation and produces no tailings ponds.
Alberta's oil and gas well drilling rates are increasing, and a significant number of drilled wells are abandoned each year. Alberta Environment and Parks' reclamation program ensures that abandoned wells are reclaimed in a timely manner and have a land capability that is equivalent to pre-drilling conditions.
A sustainable development process ensures that oil and gas wells are reclaimed at the same time they are abandoned. This reduces the potential for land to remain unused or unusable due to the presence of unfavorable or adverse conditions. Reclamation and abandonment rates should be similar to prevent future liabilities associated with a build-up of uncertified wells.
This indicator shows the change in the number of oil and gas wells that have been abandoned and reclaimed each year from 1963 to 2012. Abandoned wells are those that have been permanently dismantled as prescribed by the Alberta Energy Regulator regulations (Directive 020: Well Abandonment Guide) and left in a safe and secure condition.
Reclaimed wells are those that have met the reclamation standards (see Reclamation Criteria for Wellsites and Associated Facilities on the Wellsite Reclamation Certificate Application Process page) and received a reclamation certificate from Alberta Environment and Parks for private or public lands, or were exempted from certification.
About M & M Resources Reclamation Company Alberta
Among those responding, the Eagle Ford represented the largest percentage of revenues (23%), followed by the Permian Basin and Niobrara/Powder River, both at 18%. Oklahoma/Kansas represented about 15%-plus of revenues, while 13% had most of their revenues tied to the Marcellus/Utica shales and 10% said their highest revenues were from the Bakken Shale.
M & M Resources Inc. is a privately owned company established in 2004. Mike Barrette and Mike Acko currently reside in Fort Nelson, British Columbia where their head office is. Equipment solutions including construction, land clearing, mulching right-of-way, geophysical seismic mulching/slashing, lease building, low bed trucking, hazardous waste hauling, sawdust hauling.
The mission of M & M Resources is to be the company of choice for the supply of any and all Oilfield Services. We want our clients to know that we will support our customers' needs and provide a quality of service like no other, and doing so in a safe manner. By anticipating and exceeding our customers short and long-term requirements, we expect to provide a superior service to the industry.