Archived - Shell Quest Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Project

Fort Saskatchewan; Radway; Thorhild (AB)

Reasons for a Federal Assessment
Project Description
Final Decision
Follow-up Program

Archived Content

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Reference Numbers

Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry: 10-01-55916
Natural Resources Canada: AB‑411

Environmental Assessment Type

Screening

Other Assessment Process

Government of Alberta

Responsible or Regulated Authorities

Canadian Transportation Agency
Natural Resources Canada

Reasons for a Federal Assessment

On June 10, 2010, it was determined that an environmental assessment was required in relation to the project because Natural Resources Canada considered providing financial assistance to the proponent and the Canadian Transportation Agency considered taking action in relation to subsection 101(3) of the Canada Transportation Act.

Project Description (as posted in the Notice of Commencement)

Shell Canada Limited (the proponent) is proposing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the Scotford Upgrader, located in the Alberta Industrial Heartland (AIH), through the Shell Quest CCS project. The Shell Quest CCS project is a fully integrated CCS project involving the capture, transport, injection and storage of carbon dioxide (CO2). Up to 1.2 million tonnes of CO2 per year will be captured from three hydrogen manufacturing units (HMUs) at the Shell Scotford Upgrader facility, situated approximately 40Km northeast of Edmonton, Alberta. The CO2 will be compressed into a supercritical fluid and transported by a 16" diameter pipeline to injection wells for permanent storage. These wells extend more than 2 km below the surface in the Basal Cambrian Sands located North of the capture site. The approximate total length of the pipeline is 100 km, of which approximately 45 km is adjacent to existing right-of-way. The scope of the Shell Quest CCS project will include all project components including the capture, pipeline and storage infrastructure. All project phases, the construction, operation and subsequent decommissioning, will also be considered.

Final Decision

A decision was taken on June 21, 2012 and was that the authorities may exercise any power or perform any duty or function with respect to the project because, after taking into consideration the screening report and taking into account the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures and comments from the public, the authorities are of the opinion that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Follow-up Program

It was determined that a follow-up program to verify the accuracy of the environmental assessment and/or determine the effectiveness of any measures taken to mitigate the adverse environmental effects is required for this project. For further information or to obtain a copy of the follow-up program, please contact Natural Resources Canada.