Oilsands help tackle climate change

The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) has reported that Canada’s oilsands producers are prepared to take a greater leadership role on climate action as part of the growing global intention to reduce GHG emissions. Tim McMillan, CAPP President said, “Alberta has world class energy resources and oilsands companies are committed to developing world class solutions the world needs for a cleaner energy future. We developed the technology to get the oil out of the sand, and we are just as committed to getting our carbon out of the air.”

The oilsands industry is already reported to be a committed leader in improvements to reduce emissions intensity. Since 1990, companies have reduced GHGs per bbl by 30% and the industry is investing more than CAN$1 billion into innovative technologies to produce oil with lower GHGs than other sources of oil. Policies to increase the price of carbon must spur direct investments into GHG reducing technologies to address climate change, a factor that Alberta’s new climate change panel should consider.

McMillan continued, “climate change is a global challenge that needs to be tackled with broad based policies that consider production and consumption by everyone. We will lead on technology and policy, but climate change is greater than the oilsands, greater than Alberta. Everyone has a role to play.”

Industry’s balanced energy policy strategy is based on four objectives: environmental sustainability; fiscal competitiveness; regulatory efficiency; and enhanced market access. The oil and natural gas industry appreciates the new rates under Alberta’s revised Specific Gas Emitters Regulations (SGER) will be phased in over 18 months and money raised will continue to flow to the technology development fund.

Nevertheless, the revised rules for SGER and Alberta’s recently announced corporate tax increase have the potential to add almost CAN$800 million to industry costs over the next two years.

McMillan concluded, “we will continue to work with the Alberta government to protect jobs and investment to keep the industry healthy for all Albertans. The competitiveness of our industry on the world stage is important to keeping Albertans working.”

Edited from press release by Claira Lloyd

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/drilling-and-production/29062015/oilsands-climate-change/