Regional Groundwater Monitoring in the Oil Sands: Design and Implementation

Margaret Klebek, Alberta Environment

Northern Athabasca Oil Sands region

NAOS ~ 18,000 km2

3

NAOS Regional GW Monitoring Network

• Regionally, monitoring is being conducted through the recently established network (2009).

• The intent of this network system is to ensure timely detection of changes to key indicators that warrants response, investigation and possible mitigation.

4

Network Development

• Provide good regional coverage to establish baseline quality conditions in key aquifers

• Assess long-term quality trends

• Assess potential cumulative effects of natural and anthropogenic inputs

5

Existing InfrastructureGroundwater Observation Well Network (GOWN)

AENV-operated

16 wells actively monitored at 5 sites within the AOS region

Alberta Geological Survey Wells (AGS)

13 wells at 3 sites within the AOS region

AGS ownership transferred to AENV for use in AOS network

Operator Wells:

Approximately 9 operators within the Fort McMurray area have representatives on the AOS network

Agreements made to have wells and/or associated data used to support network

6

Well Prioritization

• Initial prioritization was based on the following criteria:

level of potential risk to groundwater resources with higher risk areas being targeted;

importance of aquifer relative to development activity;

level of knowledge regarding quality and quantity; and,

spatial distribution of aquifers.

Current Deployment

40 wells / 13 locations:

SS = Surficial Sands

10 wells

BCH = Buried Channel/Valley

5 wells

GR = Grand Rapids Fm.

1 well

CWR = Clearwater Fm.

4 wells

BAS = Basal McMurray Fm.

11 wells

PBM = Prairie Evaporite, Beaverhill Lake or Methy

8 wells

GRA = Granite Wash Fm.

1 well

Groundwater levels (Surficial deposits)

509.0

509.2

509.4

509.6

509.8

510.0

1977 1979 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991

GW

Sur

face

Ele

v. (m

.a.s

.l.)

GOWN 13-27 (BCH)

338

339

340

341

342

1977 1979 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991

GW

Sur

face

Ele

v. (m

.a.s

.l.)

GOWN 16-22 (SS)

257

258

259

260

1977 1979 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991

GW

Sur

face

Ele

v. (m

.a.s

.l.)

GOWN 01-74 (SS)

317.0

317.5

318.0

318.5

319.0

1977 1979 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991

GW

Sur

face

Ele

v. (m

.a.s

.l.)

Shell PW-63 (BCH)

Groundwater levels (Basal McMurray)

283.0

283.2

283.4

283.6

283.8

284.0

1977 1979 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991

GW

Sur

face

Ele

v. (m

.a.s

.l.)

270

275

280

285

290

295

300

1977 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008

GW

Sur

face

Ele

v. (m

.a.s

.l.)

GOWN 06-61(BAS)

219

220

221

222

223

1977 1979 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991

GW

Sur

face

Ele

v. (m

.a.s

.l.)

509.0

509.2

509.4

509.6

509.8

510.0

1977 1979 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991

GW

Sur

face

Ele

v. (m

.a.s

.l.)

GOWN 13-30(BAS)

GOWN 01-76 (BAS)

GOWN 16-24 (BAS)

Note: Active mine dewatering in area

Groundwater quality trends (TDS in surficial deposits)

11

Stable & radiogenic isotopes

Analysed for:

δ18O δ2H δ13C-DIC (for age correction)

14C activity (PMC)

Carbon-14 age dating

SS: 4,972 yr BPTDS: 470 mg/L

BCH: 4,618 yr BPTDS: 670 mg/L

BCH: 3,485 yr BPTDS: 340 mg/L

BCH: 5,033 yr BPTDS: 620 mg/LBCH: 4,853 yr BP

TDS: 1,100 mg/L

BAS: 8,086 yr BPTDS: 330 mg/L

BAS: 16,996 yr BPTDS: 1,600 mg/L

Next steps• Continue monitoring, evaluation and reporting (2011)

• Implement GW management framework - defined goals, targets & limits – (2011/12)

• Develop GW working group to administer network & communicate results (2011/12)

1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004

Con

cent

ratio

n (m

g/L)

0

10

20

30

40

Range of natural variability

Incr

easi

ng tr

end

UCL

LCL

Target level

Threshold level (risk-based)

1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004

Con

cent

ratio

n (m

g/L)

0

10

20

30

40

Range of natural variability

Incr

easi

ng tr

end

UCL

LCL

Target level

Threshold level (risk-based)•Expand network to include additional locations

14 11-Jan-11

Southern Athabasca Oil Sands region

SAOS ~ 35,000 km2

Lower Athabasca Regional Planning Area

SAOS Study Area

Alberta River Basins

15

Proposed Monitoring Locations

• To fulfill the goal of regional groundwater monitoring, strategic locations have been identified for major aquifers extending from surface down to the bedrock formations being utilized for water supply.

16

Groundwater Model• To provide decision-support for

establishing a regional groundwater monitoring network;

• 25 regionally significant hydrogeologic units

16 11-Jan-11

Buried bedrock channels

Proposed Regional Monitoring Network

• Wells proposed near existing facilities

• Location selected based on level of vulnerability and risk

18

Cold Lake Oil Sands

CLBR ~ 22,000 km2

19

CL Monitoring Well Network• A number of hydrogeologic and

logistical factors were considered in selecting

Spatial distribution of aquifers: Up gradient of development Down gradient of development Proximal to sensitive areas

20

Data evaluation

• Data collected from all Regional Groundwater Monitoring Networks will be evaluated and communicated on a regular basis.

• Specific timing will be determined by soon to be established Groundwater Working Groups.

21

Summary• Considerable work completed to date in

establishing regional groundwater monitoring in the Alberta oil sands regions

• Active networks are in place (NAOS, CLBR) and others are in the planning stages (SAOS)

• Results will be crucial in determining:

current state of groundwater resources

range of natural variability

indicator trends and future conditions

validity of modelled projections