Evaluation and Remediation of Potential Environmental Contaminants in Alberta Oil and Gas Well Sites

When the first oil well was drilled in Alberta in 1914, it shaped Alberta’s future in the global economy. As it developed into the world’s third-largest oil reservoir and with booming oil and gas industries, Alberta became the heart of Canadian Energy. It is estimated that there are around 450,000 oil and gas wells that have been drilled throughout the province since 1963. However, developments at well sites have resulted in the high potential of local soil and water contamination from hazardous materials. These contaminants include soil sterilant herbicides, heavy metals, salts, petroleum hydrocarbons, and drilling fluids that are generated from oil and gas development and drilling activities. These contaminants present in soils and groundwater are potential health threats to human and environmental health. Several soil and groundwater remediation technologies were evaluated in this study for their potential to degrade or stabilize contaminants in Alberta's oilsands region. These include physical remediation technologies, such as soil vapour extraction, dual phase extraction, and electro-kinetic technologies; chemical remediation technologies, like in situ chemical oxidation, and soil washing; as well as bioremediation and phytoremediation.

As a result, a holistic approach to drinking water management has been recommended for both community groups. The use of watershed-level management by way of the multi-barrier approach and/or integrated watershed management more effectively protects water at its source and better ensures the quality of the water at the tap. Additionally, these holistic methods generate more collaboration and require that adequate data be gathered, both of which are needed in addressing drinking water concerns. Despite watershed level management of drinking water sources being a viable solution, the communities have little control over local governance, especially within their traditional territory, which hinders the more holistic approaches.