Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., Cenovus Energy Inc., Imperial, MEG Energy, and Suncor Energy have allied in the Oil Sands Pathways to Net Zero initiative. The group’s goal is to work collectively with the federal and Alberta governments to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from oil sands operations by 2050. Member companies operate about 90% of Canada’s oil sands production.
Pathways is anchored by a major carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) pipeline connected to a carbon sequestration hub to enable multi-sector tie-in projects for expanded emissions reductions. The companies described the proposed CCUS system as similar to the multi-billion dollar Longship-Northern Lights project in Norway as well as other CCUS projects in the Netherlands, UK, and US, all of which involve significant collaboration between industry and government.
The proposed CO2 trunkline would link oil sands infrastructure in the Fort McMurray and Cold Lake, Alta., regions to a carbon sequestration hub near Cold Lake. The trunkline would also be available to other regional industries and could be extended to the Edmonton region.
The companies also plan to deploy existing and emerging GHG reduction technologies such as clean hydrogen, fuel switching, and electrification, and to accelerate application of potential emissions-reducing technologies like direct-air capture and small modular nuclear reactors.
“The Oil Sands Pathways to Net Zero initiative is an industry driven, made-in-Alberta solution which will strengthen our position as global ESG leaders,” said Sonya Savage, Alberta’s Minister of Energy. “Every credible energy forecast indicates that oil will be a major contributor to the energy mix in the decades ahead and even beyond 2050. Alberta is uniquely positioned and ready to meet that demand. This initiative will also pave the way for continued technological advancements, ultimately leading to the production of net zero barrels of oil.”