Syncrude improves waterfowl protection
Unexpected weather and the timing of the 2008 spring bird migration around Calgary resulted in the deaths of 1,600 birds on an oil sands tailings pond about 1 year ago.
Consequently, Syncrude Canada upgraded its waterfowl protection system in advance of this spring’s migration. A joint venture of several oil companies, Syncrude faces charges from the Canadian federal and provincial governments for the waterfowl deaths.
Syncrude Chief Executive Officer Tom Katinas said waterfowl landed on Syncrude’s Aurora settling basin and drowned after getting coated in residual bitumen floating on the water.
A couple of factors set up that scenario. A snowstorm delayed the use of sound cannons that deter birds from landing. The 2008 migration started while natural water bodies remained frozen, making the Aurora settling basin more attractive to landing ducks.
“Everyone at Syncrude understands that our stakeholders expect the very best from us when it comes to protection of wildife,” Katinas said. “We regret what happened last year and recognize that it was completely unacceptable.”
He said the upgraded waterfowl protection system includes a new radar monitoring system for birds and the use of more deterrents.
Syncrude is a joint venture owned by Canadian Oil Sands Ltd., ConocoPhillips Oilsands Partnership II, Imperial Oil Resources, Mocal Energy Ltd., Murphy Oil Co. Ltd., Nexen Oil Sands Partnership, and Petro-Canada Oil & Gas.
Consequently, Syncrude Canada upgraded its waterfowl protection system in advance of this spring’s migration. A joint venture of several oil companies, Syncrude faces charges from the Canadian federal and provincial governments for the waterfowl deaths.
Syncrude Chief Executive Officer Tom Katinas said waterfowl landed on Syncrude’s Aurora settling basin and drowned after getting coated in residual bitumen floating on the water.
A couple of factors set up that scenario. A snowstorm delayed the use of sound cannons that deter birds from landing. The 2008 migration started while natural water bodies remained frozen, making the Aurora settling basin more attractive to landing ducks.
“Everyone at Syncrude understands that our stakeholders expect the very best from us when it comes to protection of wildife,” Katinas said. “We regret what happened last year and recognize that it was completely unacceptable.”
He said the upgraded waterfowl protection system includes a new radar monitoring system for birds and the use of more deterrents.
Syncrude is a joint venture owned by Canadian Oil Sands Ltd., ConocoPhillips Oilsands Partnership II, Imperial Oil Resources, Mocal Energy Ltd., Murphy Oil Co. Ltd., Nexen Oil Sands Partnership, and Petro-Canada Oil & Gas.
Labels: bird migration, ducks, oil sands, Syncrude, waterfowl
posted by Paula Dittrick, OGJ Senior Staff Writer at
2:34 PM
2 Comments:
Looking for contacts with refineries in mexico and venezuela for purchase of 50,000 metric tonnes of diesel (AGO). Respond asap. Email: beldexproductions@gmail.com
Thank you for sharing this post.
POSHE Solutions Pvt Ltd is one of the leading course provider for Nebosh IGC training in Chennai and other international safety course in India & Qatar. Poshe is accredited centre to offer nebosh courses, our Centre Number is 1227. POSHE has frequent batches for nebosh course in chennai.
Nebosh course in chennai
Nebosh courses in chennai
Nebosh in Chennai
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home