Big engineering companies work to reduce impacts of industry and oilsands

WorleyParsonsKomex was one of several engineering firms involved in Lafarge Canada’s project to upgrade a cement kiln in Exshaw, Alberta that has significantly reduced the plant’s emissions. As part of an expansion to increase the plant’s manufacturing capacity by 60%, Lafarge upgraded an existing line and managed to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions by 60% and nitrogen oxide emissions by 40%. The $20 million upgrade also included dust mitigation and noise abatement equipment. WorleyParsonsKomex did much of the early work on the environmental permits and also supplied geotechnical services. The next stage involves the completion of a new kiln line and vertical cement mill.

AECOM Technology is doing three environmental research projects for Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA). The projects are related to water use and water recycling. Matthew Sutton, AECOM’s chief executive, environment, says: “We are honoured to play a role in helping develop new water-management solutions for Canada’s oil sands operations.” COSIA is an organization that brings together oil sands producers to collaborate on finding technologies and new ways to improve environmental impacts. To date, COSIA member companies have shared 560 technologies that cost over C$900 million to develop.

TetraTech has been awarded a five-year, $23-million contract with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency related to fresh and marine waters. The company has a five-year contract to assess and reduce the effects of contaminated fish, sediments and water-borne pathogens on human health. The work will involve field work, laboratory analysis, modeling and interpreting data.

Henry Lang of Golder Associates in the U.K. has published an article outlining ways that companies can responsibly conduct hydraulic fracturing for shale gas extraction. The article, which appeared in European Oil & Gas Magazine, Issue 111, 2014, says that best practice involves above all else: carefully analyzed reservoirs and comprehensive water management strategies. Click here to read the article.