Reclamation of in-situ facilities poses several unique challenges in comparison to conventional oil and gas and oil sands mining. This document summarizes current knowledge and practices employed for reclamation of in-situ oil sands extraction facilities (in-situ facilities) and identifies knowledge gaps, shortcomings and areas of improvement which are referred to as opportunities.
These practices are split into 6 sections:
- Section 1: Pre-disturbance data collection, covering site information and planning practices
- Section 2: Site construction, covering timber clearing, grubbing and wood management; surface soil salvaging; subsoil salvaging; soil stockpiling and maintenance; and minimal disturbance practices
- Section 3: Landscape and soil reclamation, covering pad reclamation; subsoil replacement; surface soil replacement; soil tilling and decompaction; surface preparation and amendment practices
- Section 4: Revegetation, covering propagule collection; seeding; and tree and shrub planting practices
- Section 5: Monitoring and site maintenance, covering erosion control; weed control; fertilization; and forest stand management practices
- Section 6: Reclamation assessment practices.
The document also includes in its appendices a topic summary for the 2013 COSIA and Friends Fall Tour, summary for the Reclamation and Restoration Opportunities and Outcomes Workshop and interview excerpts on reclamation issues for in-situ oil sands extraction sites and facilities.
A general summary of each practice and its application is provided as well as a review of the practice and identification of opportunities. The document is intended to direct COSIA and its member companies towards developing an action plan for in-situ reclamation to improve upon current practices in accordance with COSIA’s reclamation and restoration goals. The document does not present a comprehensive review of all current practices and details of their application but provides a snap-shot of each practice and references to applicable literature.