In 1998, Husky Oil Operations Limited and its partner formerly Rigel Oil, (purchased by Talisman Energy in 1999), constructed a 26.2 km pipeline in Kananaskis Country to transport sour oil, solution gas and produced water from Pad #3 on Cox Hill to the Shell Oil Jumping Pound Gas Plant for processing. Kananaskis Country is a 4160 km2 “Planning Area” that has both Prime Protection and Multiple Use designations. Situated just west of Calgary, Alberta, Canada it has considerable recreational and environmental value, including significant wildlife habitat.
The original exploration and subsequent pipeline construction applications required separate Alberta Energy & Utilities Board (AEUB) public hearings with both involving significant public consultation. Prior to drilling on the lands that had been purchased more than a decade ago, Husky adopted several governing principles to reduce environmental impact, mitigate damage and foster open and honest communication with other industrial users, regulators, local interest groups and local aboriginal communities. During planning and construction, careful attention was paid to using existing linear disturbances (seismic lines, roads and cutblocks). A variety of environmental studies, that incorporated ecologically-integrated landscape classification and included the use of indicator species such as the Grizzly Bear, were conducted prior to and during the early stages of development. The results of these studies, along with the information gathered from the public consultation, historical and cultural studies and engineering specifications formed the basis for the route selection.
Watercourses presented particular challenges during pipeline construction. The pipeline right-of-way (RoW) intercepted 26 small water runs and 19 creeks. Fishery and water quality issues were identified as important issues in the lower Coxhill Creek and Jumpingpound Creeks. As a result, Jumpingpound Creek was directionally drilled at two locations and all other watercourses were open-cut using low-impact techniques. To minimize new RoW clearing, substantial portions of the pipeline were placed in the ditch of the existing road. Husky attributes the success of this project to planning, broad community input and the co-operation and buy-in by the project management team and construction companies.
