Canada’s Largest Oil Sands Producers Set Net Zero Target for 2050


Access to a trunkline will be key in sequestering CO2
With operations located in Northern Alberta, Canadian Natural Resources, Cenovus Energy, Imperial, MEG Energy and Suncor Energy formally announced the Oil Sands Pathways to Net Zero initiative. These companies operate approximately 90% of Canada’s oil sands production. The goal of this unique alliance, working collectively with the federal and Alberta governments, is to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from oil sands operations by 2050.

This collaborative effort follows announcements from the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta of support programs for emissions-reduction projects and infrastructure. The pathways vision is anchored by a major carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) trunkline connected to a carbon sequestration hub to enable multi-sector “tie-in” projects for emissions reductions.

The companies involved said they are looking forward to continuing to work with the federal and Alberta governments, and to engaging with local indigenous communities in northern Alberta to make this ambitious, major emissions-reduction vision a reality so those communities can continue to benefit from Canadian resource development. The Canadian oil sands industry will contribute an estimated $3 trillion to Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP) over the next 30 years.

A CO2 trunkline would link oil sands facilities in the Fort McMurray and Cold Lake regions to a carbon sequestration hub near Cold Lake. The trunkline would also be available to other industries in the region interested in capturing and sequestering CO2. There is also potential to link the infrastructure corridor to the Edmonton region.

The mining and refining operations will deploy existing and emerging GHG reduction technologies, including CCUS technology, clean hydrogen, process improvements, energy efficiency, fuel switching and electrification. They will also evaluate, pilot and accelerate application of potential emerging emissions-reducing technologies including direct air capture, next-generation recovery technologies and small modular nuclear reactors.

“Collaboration among companies, innovators and governments is critical to achieving ambitious goals,” Suncor President and CEO Mark Little said. “That’s how we built a budding oil sands resource into one of the world’s most reliable and ESG-leading oil basins in the world.

As featured in Womp 2021 Vol 07 - www.womp-int.com