Air Pollutant Emissions Performance

In 2008, the Surmont Phase 1 facility completed its first year of commercial operation. The facility continued to ramp up production in 2009 and saw bitumen production increase 28 percent from 2008. The facility became more efficient with an increase in fuel consumed of only 15 percent. The facility is having fewer operational disturbances and flaring was reduced by 41 percent from 2008 to 2009.

Between 2007 and 2008, oxides of nitrogen emissions increased 102 percent due to partial production in 2007 and full production in 2008. Between 2008 and 2009, oxides of nitrogen emissions varied by less than 10 percent.

*Start-up year, partial production 

Between 2007 and 2008 sulphur dioxide emissions increased 18,059 percent due to Surmont Phase 1 running a full year of commercial operation. Between 2008 and 2009 sulphur dioxide emissions varied by less than 10 percent.

Despite the increased growth, oxides of nitrogen, sulphur dioxide and volatile organic compounds remained relatively consistent in the Oil Sands business unit.

*Start-up year, partial production 

Between 2007 and 2008, volatile organic compound emissions increased 24 percent due to Surmont Phase 1 running a full year of commercial operation. Between 2008 and 2009, volatile organic compound emissions varied by less than 10 percent.

*Start-up year, partial production 

Between 2007 and 2008, particulate matter emissions increased 63 percent due to Surmont Phase 1 running a full year of commercial operation. Between 2008 and 2009, particulate matter emissions decreased by 28 percent due to a reduction in flaring.

*Start-up year, partial production 

The Surmont Phase 1 and Surmont Pilot facilities both have Alberta Environment approvals that require the submission of monthly and annual air emissions reports. In 2008, Phase 1 exceeded 367 of its oxides of nitrogen approval limit due to a calculation error (made by ConocoPhillips Canada) in the approval application. An application for amendment was submitted to Alberta Environment and the limit was amended on October 15, 2008 to 11.0 kilograms per hour. In 2009, there were no violations of the air approval conditions at either facility.

Specific applications that ConocoPhillips Canada is considering for current and future facilities to improve our emissions performance are summarized in the climate change section.