Partnering on air quality monitoring

CNOOC International supports the work of the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA), which monitors air quality throughout the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo – one of the largest municipalities in North America. WBEA maintains 25 fixed and three mobile ambient air quality monitoring stations throughout the region and provides ambient air quality data and an air quality index that are updated hourly. 

In addition to the air quality monitoring station that is located in the community of Anzac – the closest community to our Long Lake oil sands facility in Alberta, Canada, we also collect air quality monitoring data through 15 passive air monitors. Air quality data from the Anzac station is fed on a real-time basis to Alberta Environment and WBEA.

In 2013, a Joint Canada-Alberta Implementation Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring was put in place and is funded by industry, including CNOOC International. The plan aims to provide world class monitoring of air, water and biodiversity for the oil sands region of Alberta. The intent is not to replace the air monitoring programs currently managed by WBEA, but rather to enhance and improve the scope and coverage of the programs.