Constraints Mapping at a SAGDFacility in the Oil Sands Region

摘要

OPTI Canada Inc./Nexen Canada Ltd. (OPTI/Nexen)developed a constraints map for their proposed SteamAssisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) project near Anzac,Alberta. Constraints mapping is a graphicalrepresentation of the suitability of a land area forconstruction purposes. The objective of a constraints mapis to provide information that will allow reduction of aproject’s footprint in areas of higher constraint to triggerelevated levels of site mitigation and avoid “no-go”areas. OPTI/Nexen used the constraints map as a keyplanning tool during the conceptual and detailed designphase for their project to balance the placement ofsurface facilities with environmental and cultural landuse sensitivities. A constraints map is a dynamic tool thatcan be used over the lifetime of a project, from initialscreening at the beginning to detailed facility siting for future phase updates. Constraints maps take intoconsideration regulatory requirements; raw data such asdisturbances, wetlands, field survey data, traditional use,historical sites, soils and air photos as well as deriveddata such as wildlife Habitat Suitability Index modellingresults. They may also include subsurface environmental,surficial and subsurface engineering, and temporalconstraints. Fundamentally, constraints mapping utilizesthe same information as the Environmental Assessmentprocess, however it processes the information in aslightly different manner.