Industry abandoned 10,334 inactive wells, pipelines, and facilities in 2022 – nearly double the amount abandoned in 2019 and 2020, the AER reported.
Reclamation activity also accelerated, with the AER issuing 461 reclamation certificates, an increase of one-third compared to 2021.
The regulator reports that 17 percent of licensed wells in Alberta are now considered inactive, down from 21 percent in 2019. And about 30 percent of licensed wells are now considered reclaimed, up from 27 percent in 2019.
“Data shows work industry is doing to reduce its environmental footprint”
Oil Sands Reclaimed Land Growing
Wetland in reclaimed area in the Athabasca oil sands region. Photo by Greg Halinda for the Canadian Energy Centre
Data released by Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance highlights the growing spread of the industry’s reclaimed land.
As of 2021, oil sands operators had permanently reclaimed 10,344 hectares, the equivalent area of more than 20,000 NFL football fields – a 16 percent increase from 2019.
Of this, 1,296 hectares (about 2,500 NFL football fields) is permanently reclaimed to wetlands and aquatics.
48 SPOTLIGHT MAGAZINE ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • VOL 24 ISSUE 1
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