Turbidity Monitoring in the North Saskatchewan River
In order to address increased infrastructure requirements in Saskatchewan’s oil and gas industry a new pipeline was installed in 2018/2019, a portion of which was bored beneath the north Saskatchewan river. Because construction was being conducted in an environmentally sensitive area, X-Terra was brought in to monitor activities including turbidity monitoring of the river itself.
The North Saskatchewan River Valley has important ecological significance by providing crucial habitat and migratory corridors for wildlife as well as being cultural significance as a Canadian Heritage river. Subsequently, any staff who work in these areas are required to undergo an Environmental Awareness Orientation and Training Program. Additionally, a wildlife biodiversity monitoring program has been established as a collaborative effort between industry partners, the Saskatchewan Ministry of the Environment (MOE) and X-Terra in order to document the bird and other wildlife species present as well as the potential effects of development.
With the aim of minimizing the effect of construction on wildlife migration, mating and nesting, this project was conducted primarily during frozen winter conditions. In addition to monitoring of construction activities, X-Terra was responsible for the monitoring of the river water to ensure no drilling fluid was being unintentionally released. To this effect, X-Terra developed a river ice water sampling protocol which successfully monitored for turbidity on all branches of the river downstream from drilling activities. Because of the unpredictability of river ice, the remote location and general frigid conditions in the area during the winter months, execution of this project was not without challenges. To address these challenges and stay in line with X-Terra’s commitment to a positive safety culture and program, all personnel involved underwent extensive training to mitigate the risks involved.
Once completed, construction of this pipeline will update and upgrade the existing infrastructure, and with the help of X-Terra, be constructed in a way that has minimal effects on this environmentally sensitive area and its inhabitants.
