The Environmental Challenge
Tailings ponds cover over 200 km² of surface area in the Fort McMurray region and contain over 7 billion barrels of oil sands mine water
Oil Sands operators and the government are facing ongoing public and Indigenous pressure to demonstrate a feasible path towards responsible tailings pond management and environmental reclamation.
Industry and government are continuing to make progress in this area and in support, the provincial government has established the Oil Sands Mine Water Steering Committee with a mandate to assess options and accelerate a sustainable approach to tailings pond reclamation.
ASI’s industry solution supports this effort by allowing for the safe removal of oil sands mine water that is difficult and economically prohibitive to manage. This will enable operators (and the Province of Alberta) to safely and permanently dispose (sequester) large volumes of mine water with high concentrations of contaminants, helping advance an accelerated environmental reclamation strategy.
Project Scope & Our Plan
Patented, innovative & proven approach to sequester oil sands mine water
The project is designed to prioritize environmental sustainability by enabling large-scale disposal (sequestration) and accommodating future expansion needs. It features a patented process with aggregation, transportation, and deep disposal at an estimated $1 billion capital cost. The initial flow capacity is 630,000 bbls/d, with the potential to expand to 900,000 bbls/d. With over 40 years of sustainable disposal capacity, the project aims to support long-term environmental priorities. Construction could begin as early as the 2025/26 winter season, with in-service operations as early as 2028.
95% of ASI’s project footprint within or adjacent to existing surface disturbances.
Value Proposition—Executable, Safe & Permanent Solution
| ASI's Project is a game-changer, enabling an accelerated reclamation strategy | |
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| The solution would put the industry a step-change ahead on Sustainability |
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| Key Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Scale and Timing | 36 Million m3/yr (226 Million bbls/yr) in service 2028 |
| Cost Savings to Operators | Potential for annual savings—optimized mine planning and operational flexibility |
| Reduced Franchise Risk and Liability | Helps lower on-site mine water inventories—Enables tailings pond reclamation and path to end-of-life mine closures |
| Regulatory Certainty | Aligns with existing regulatory framework |
| Indigenous Support | Engaged with a number of Indigenous communities—participation and investment |
| Government Support | ASI’s disposal solution is actively discussed as part of the Oil Sands Mine Water Steering Committee process |
| Cost-Effective Solution | Very competitive industry transportation & disposal toll |
| Sustainability Step-Change | Improved sustainability profile & metrics |
| Ready to Execute | Financing secured subject to industry commitment |