At this time of year, people around the world take in various interpretations of the past year. From fireside chats with American presidents to the Queen’s Christmas broadcasts to the Commonwealth, from Time Magazine’s Top 10 lists to The Onion’s absurd year-end review, these annual traditions prompt us to stop and consider the year that was.
Dan Wicklum, Chief Executive, COSIA
Annual performance update
Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA) held its annual Performance Update November 25, offering Canada’s oil sands producers a chance to reflect on the alliance’s performance, recognizing both successes and improvement opportunities. Expectations of COSIA remain high – the world’s attention is still focused on the oil sands and what’s being done to lessen environmental impacts associated with its development.
Certainly there’s a lot for COSIA’s member companies to be proud of in 2014. While 2013 was a period of setting COSIA’s foundation, this year saw the creation and advancement of several projects.
Technologies shared, projects advanced
To date, over 777 environmental technologies, costing more than $950 million to develop have been shared amongst COSIA members. And with 238 new projects moving forward, of which 68 were submitted in 2014, there’s no shortage of performance to evaluate. A quick look at the year’s results show that COSIA has made progress on several projects, including its GE-partnered SAGD Produced Water Treatment Pilot and its Water Technology Development Centre.
By design, COSIA’s Environmental Priority Areas (EPA) focus efforts on specific areas such as tailings, water, land, greenhouse gases and monitoring. Aspirations for each EPA were conveyed in 2013.
Performance goal
This year also marked the release of COSIA’s initial performance goal: Reduce in situ fresh water use intensity by 50 per cent by 2022. This is the first of many goals which will ultimately provide measurable, annual reporting guidelines.
So while a lot has been taking place, member companies are tempering optimism with realistic expectations. Technologies that enable environmental performance improvements take years to develop, test and implement.
As a COSIA member, Suncor is committed to the organization’s success. Of the 238 new projects moving forward under COSIA’s watch, approximately 60 are Suncor-led or supported.
If anything, this past year served proof that the COSIA collaboration works and is accelerating environmental performance in the oil sands.
