Groundwater Flow Model Development for Cumulative Effects Management within the Athabsaca Oil Sands
The unprecedented growth of oil sands activity in the Athabasca region has raised concerns that mining and in-situ oil sand extraction processes may negatively affect groundwater quantity and quality. In 2010, the Royal Society of Canada, the Oil Sands Advisory Panel, and the Pembina Institute released reports highlighting the need to better characterize groundwater water resources within the Athabasca Oil Sands region, and to develop numerical modelling tools to better project potential cumulative effects of oil and gas development on water quantity and quality during bitumen development over the next decades and into the far-future (effectiveness of mine reclamation). Simultaneously, Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development has developed a Groundwater Management Framework (GMF) which outlines an approach to identify and manage potential cumulative environmental effects of oil sands activities (and other related disturbances) on the environment. The GMF is predicated on the integration of decision-support tools such as modeling, monitoring, and management. The implementation of this framework will challenge groundwater users in the region to respond to adaptive and cooperative management principles in order to achieve the intended goals and outcomes.
Our presentation will focus on the development of the groundwater Modelling decision-support tools for the mineable area north of Fort McMurray (NAOS model) and the in-situ region south of Fort McMurray (SAOS model). Within the GMF, the purpose of these models are to facilitate understanding of potential cumulative effects of groundwater extraction, injection, and diversions (i.e. mine dewatering) on water quantity and quality. In addition, the numerical model developments incorporate a consistent interpretation of the regional geologic and hydrogeologic setting (conceptual model), in alignment with Royal Society of Canada recommendations. The conceptual and numerical models can also be used in future Environmental Impact Assessments, to provide decision-support for expanding the regional groundwater monitoring network, and for establishing groundwater management targets within the GMF. Model development and calibration will be presented as well as associated challenges with representing the complex hydrogeologic setting and development history of the region. Possible future groundwater model refinements and potential applications for addressing the concerns highlighted by the independent research institutes will also be discussed.
Our presentation will focus on the development of the groundwater Modelling decision-support tools for the mineable area north of Fort McMurray (NAOS model) and the in-situ region south of Fort McMurray (SAOS model). Within the GMF, the purpose of these models are to facilitate understanding of potential cumulative effects of groundwater extraction, injection, and diversions (i.e. mine dewatering) on water quantity and quality. In addition, the numerical model developments incorporate a consistent interpretation of the regional geologic and hydrogeologic setting (conceptual model), in alignment with Royal Society of Canada recommendations. The conceptual and numerical models can also be used in future Environmental Impact Assessments, to provide decision-support for expanding the regional groundwater monitoring network, and for establishing groundwater management targets within the GMF. Model development and calibration will be presented as well as associated challenges with representing the complex hydrogeologic setting and development history of the region. Possible future groundwater model refinements and potential applications for addressing the concerns highlighted by the independent research institutes will also be discussed.
