Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide is a global challenge. Like other industries today, the oil sands industry is constantly seeking ways to reduce its air emissions. Our actions are steered by the oil sands Guiding Principles: :
We will design and operate our facilities to ensure that regional air quality continues to exceed provincial air quality objectives.
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We will continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions per barrel of production by improving our energy efficiency and by developing new technologies.
Our members are committed to these principles and we are monitoring our performance by gathering data from our members on key performance indicators including: GHG emissions intensity, sulphur dioxide (SO ² ) emissions intensity and nitrogen oxides (NO x ) emissions intensity. Ongoing monitoring allows us to better understand our year-over-year performance and footprint. At the same time, we work with stakeholders to manage and address issues, such as odour, that occur. During 2009, the Alberta Energy Research Institute commissioned two reports on the Life Cycle Analysis of North American and Imported Crude Oils that examined and compared Alberta’s oil sands to a variety of other oil sources worldwide on a wells-to-wheels basis. Jacobs Consultancy Canada Inc. and TIAX LLC. worked with an international panel of experts to develop two life cycle research reports. The independent reports indicated that life cycle GHG emissions from oil sands-derived crude oils are similar to those of many other crude oil supplies into the United States.
18 Responsible Canadian Energy : Oil Sands Progress Report