Please CLICK HERE to review 360 Closure Communication 23-01, which summarizes an important regulatory update to Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) Directive 001 – Requirements for Site-Specific Liability Assessments.
Please reach out to the 360 team with any questions you may have on this important regulatory update.
Thank you,
Team 360
Dave Lamberton
Manager of Business Development
403.919.8693
dlamberton@360elm.com
Bryce Watson
Chief Liability Officer
250.714.6010
bwatson@360elm.com
Working closely with a developer, the City planning group, the AER, and the oil and gas licensee, 360 evaluated and remediated a contaminated site within the City of Edmonton that was slated for future residential development. Subject matter experts from 360 delineated the site extensively over 3 years and created an advanced environmental model that reduced the excavation volumes while saving our Client >$3 MM. Subsequently, the site fully meets environmental guidelines, and our client’s bottom line was protected.
360 successfully remediated a wellsite drilled in the 1950’s, addressing significant contamination issues. The site had a flare pit, two drilling waste disposal areas, and other pits contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and metals.
Through a phased approach, we treated over 8,800 m³ of highly impacted soil on-site using a Reterra soil recycler, achieving Class II landfill criteria and significantly reducing disposal costs. Low-level impacted soils were also treated and used as backfill.
Our comprehensive analysis demonstrated that elevated chloride levels in shallow groundwater were not linked to historical oil and gas activities, leading to the approval of the Record of Site Condition by the Alberta Energy Regulator.
Ryan Doull is an upstream oil and gas services executive with 24 years of industry experience. The bulk of his time in industry was with Doull Site Assessments Ltd. (DSA). Ryan became the President of DSA in 2016 after managing field operations and directing technology and innovation at the firm. Ryan formed, fostered and/or contributed to industry alliances with complementary organizations in operations technology, emissions monitoring, carbon trading, ESG software and well abandonment engineering & execution disciplines. He has served as a technical champion and liaison on various committees and has presented at many conferences and events.
Ryan is a huge sports fan, both as a spectator and participant. He’s an avid skier and enjoys playing hockey and baseball. He spends a lot of his free time watching his kids at their sports and activities, and loves to travel with his family.
Amanda graduated from the University of Prince Edward Island with a Bachelor of Science and is a professional biologist with 14 years of experience, completing environmental site assessments for a variety of sectors including oil and gas, mining, and the federal government across eastern and western Canada. Amanda is a forward-thinking people leader, specializing in project and client management, and in building high-performing, collaborative teams that are effective in executing multi-scope environmental closure projects. Her expertise and strong communication skills give her the ability to drive project innovations, motivate teams, and help grow professionals into roles that complement their unique strengths. She currently chairs the 360 technical committee, formed to ensure that 360 is continually designing industry-leading environmental programs, strategies, and execution plans, and to provide feedback and insight on emerging issues and regulatory directive changes.
Amanda was born and raised in Prince Edward Island and has called Alberta home since 2012. Outside of work, she can be found hiking, sailing, talking about PEI potatoes, or doing anything outdoors.
Michael has over 19 years of experience in the environmental consulting field and has spent a significant amount of time in the field conducting assessment, remediation, and reclamation projects. His strengths include technical work, team leadership, client relationships, financial responsibility, and budgeting. In his current role as the Director of Environment, BC & AB North at 360, Michael manages the northern Alberta and northeast British Columbia teams; ensuring clients’ work portfolios and budgets are managed to the highest standards. He received an MSc degree from the University of Calgary and is a Registered Technologist in Agrology.
Outside of work, Michael loves spending time with his family and pets. Depending on the season, he enjoys skiing and playing hockey or running and golfing.
Todd is 360’s VP of Environment and is responsible for leading 360’s exemplary team of scientists, project managers and regulatory scientists in the efficient execution of industry-spanning environmental solutions. Prior to joining 360, Todd founded Blue Spark Energy, a private oil and gas services company specializing in enhanced oil recovery techniques. During his 11-year tenure as the CEO and President of Blue Spark, Todd led the company through substantial growth and transformation. Under Todd’s visionary leadership, Blue Spark evolved into a global player, working with clients across Europe, West Africa, the Middle East, and the Far East. He has also held senior and executive management roles at Schlumberger, Siemens, and Weatherford throughout North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
Outside of work, Todd enjoys spending time with his family and is an avid outdoorsman. He can often be found skiing, hiking, canoeing and playing sports.
Graeme is the Manager of Asset Retirement Obligations at 360, with 12 years of experience developing and managing large-scale projects in various industries across Canada. He has been responsible for overseeing teams of professionals and engineers working collaboratively with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure the completion of multi-million-dollar projects in several provinces across Canada. He further developed his professional skills by engaging and collaborating with municipalities across Alberta on the development of Zoning Bylaw amendments as an expert witness working with dozens of City Councillors, Administrators, and Committee Members. With a background in accounting, he brings data and financial accuracy to the Asset Retirement Obligations team focusing on the development and standardization of ARO modeling and liability reporting.
In his spare time, Graeme can be found at the cabin with his wife and 3 children, or on the golf course.
Vitaly has a M.Sc. in Forestry, Soil Sciences, and Resource Management from the National Agrarian University of Kyiv, Ukraine, and holds a designation of Professional Agrologist in Alberta. He has over 20 years of experience in the environmental consulting industry and as part of his career, Vitaly has successfully managed numerous complex environmental impact assessments and remediation projects completed as part of planned environmental programs, land development, asset retirement obligations, spill response, and government enforcement orders. As a Technical Manager certified by the Project Management Institute, Vitaly brings project efficiencies and capitalizes on his expertise with government regulations, guidelines, and expectations, combined with his in-depth understanding of client needs, practicality, and ability to provide cost-effective and defensible solutions.
Vitaly was born in a small mountain village in western Ukraine. He grew up helping his father taking care of bees, chickens, rabbits, and pigs. His pre-internet, rural childhood made him no stranger to nature and the outdoors. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three children cycling, kayaking, trudging scramble trails, or riding his motorcycle. Vitaly’s dream is to partake in a long motorcycle trip with like minded friends… watch out Patagonia!
This project was completed in Edmonton for a community developer to allow commercial development of lands impacted by historical industrial operations. The project focused on the remediation of historical hydrocarbon and salinity contamination that was completed to the site-specific risk-based remedial targets developed by 360 to procure a formal environmental closure from the Alberta government. A total of 39,000 tonnes of salinity and hydrocarbon impacted soil was excavated and disposed of at Claystone Waste Class II Landfill. Following a comprehensive confirmatory sampling program, the remedial excavations were backfilled with soil proven to be suitable via analytical and geotechnical testing.
360 was engaged by a small oil producer to provide engineering support throughout the process of reclassifying a shut-in oil well to a produced water disposal well.
During this engagement, 360 evaluated various scenarios and advised the client on a cost-effective approach while ensuring strict adherence to regulatory guidelines and requirements.
360 facilitated the entire process from reclassification/disposal applications, reviewing well files, generating detailed wellbore schematics, conducting comprehensive survey and pool analyses, creating geological cross-sections, and effectively communicating the project’s intentions to mineral rights owners through formal notice of intents. In addition, operational procedures were created to ensure that all essential testing requirements were met and that the wellbore’s structural integrity remained intact. The final application package was then compiled and reviewed with the client to ensure the final deliverable aligned with client expectations prior to submitting to the appropriate regulatory body.
360 is a proponent of advancing new technology in the interest of lowering overall project cost and improving success rates. We are active participants in the Well Integrity and Abandonment Society (WIA) and were made aware of a new product that uses bio-mineralization technology to repair failed primary cement. 360 assisted a client in a trial of the new technology with engineering, on-site management, and operations support.
360 was engaged by a client to oversee the management of environmental risks linked to three historical wellsites situated on private land within the boundaries of an Alberta town. Future plans for the area involve transitioning the land use from agricultural and residential to commercial and light industrial.
360 personnel were actively involved in characterizing and delineating contamination plumes through Phase 2 environmental site assessments and electromagnetic surveys at these wellsites. Recent tasks completed by 360 encompass groundwater monitoring and conducting a Site-Specific Risk Assessment in accordance with Alberta Tier 2 guidelines at the sites.
The assessment involved using Tier 2B chloride guidelines to evaluate the potential exclusion of the domestic use aquifer (DUA), livestock and irrigation watering, root zone, and freshwater aquatic life pathways. One challenge associated with working within or in proximity to a municipality is the potential for DUA receptors. Approximately 50 registered water wells exist within a 1.6 km radius of the site, with the majority being domestic and municipal use.
Ongoing efforts include the development of a Remediation Action Plan and a Risk Management Plan for the site to address identified environmental concerns effectively.
Site Details:
360’s innovative and pragmatic approach correlated years of environmental data to effectively assess natural conditions and reception risk:
Risk-Based Closure Plan resulted in $750,000 in savings for the client (85% cost reduction)
360 was designated as a Prime Contractor for a client’s Strategic Winter Closure Programs.
Key project highlights included:
360 was retained by the client to act as their primary integrity dig contractor to manage a multi-year program of 300+ sites across Alberta. 360 managed the various stages and steps associated with integrity dig pre-disturbance and reclamation activities.
Project Disciplines and Specialties:
As an HSE leader with over 20 years of experience in Health, Safety and Environment, Tina advocates for practical safety programs and systems which allow for employee/contractor engagement. Tina specializes in HSE program development and implementation. She believes that HSE is driven by people and has a track record of leading collaboration with operations to institute control and remedial measures for hazardous conditions or equipment. Tina has developed and implemented multiple HSE policies for upstream oil and gas companies throughout her career. She is a proven champion of positive change and always encourages others to work collectively to fulfill difficult HSE objectives.
Tina enjoys the outdoors, and likes to spend time with her horse, Fancy, and her family. Being a lover of the sun, she likes to spend as much time as possible soaking it up!
Dave brings a wide range of sales, marketing, branding, and analytical experience from both the energy and hospitality sectors. Prior to joining 360, Dave led the sales and marketing strategy at Frac Shack International Inc, where he was an integral part of growing the oilfield service company from a concept to a thriving organization of over 300 employees with a respected brand across North and South America. Dave also led sales, marketing, and operational roles at Encana Corporation (now Ovintiv), AltaGas, Marriott International, and Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Dave’s customer-focused approach to sales and ability to build brand awareness is a key asset to 360’s growth. Dave received a Bachelor of Management, majoring in Marketing, from the University of Lethbridge in 2009. He continued his education with certificates from the University of Alberta School of Business and the Canadian Professional Sales Association (CPSA).
Outside of work, Dave enjoys travelling, cooking, and being outdoors with his young family.
Lori is a professional biologist with a MSc in Plant Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Calgary. She specializes in Site Specific Risk Assessments (SSRAs) and remediation projects for contaminated sites throughout western Canada for a variety of commercial and oil and gas sites. She works with multi-disciplinary teams to conduct the necessary investigation and analysis and prepares detailed environmental reports for clients. With Lori’s input, clients are often able to reduce the requirement for remediation while still providing protection of relevant human and ecological receptors. In her role as a Senior Program Manager/Technical Manager at 360, Lori provides planning and data gap analysis, and senior review and professional sign off on assessment and remediation projects, SSRAs, Remediation Action Plans (RAPs) and Risk Management Plans (RMPs) as well as remediation programs.
In her spare time, Lori loves to run on roads and trails and has participated in multiple road races including the Boston Marathon and ultramarathons across North America such as the Lost Soul Ultra 100 km and Canadian Death Race 125 km. Lori is also a mom to two kids (human) and two dogs (Hungarian Vizslas) which keep her on her toes when she’s not working and running.
Clayton Stenhouse is a registered professional agrologist with the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists with over 15 years helping O&G and mining companies achieve environmental and regulatory compliance. Specializing in environmental compliance, Clayton uses that experience to assist companies with attaining environmental regulatory operating approvals and provincial reclamation certification and ultimately gaining successful closure of assets and facilities while preserving environmental stewardship goals.
In his free time, Clayton can be found actively participating as a member of the Estevan Minor Hockey Association, chauffeuring his children to dance lessons and sports practices, or volunteering with the local Knights of Columbus. He loves outdoor activities, travelling with his family, and flying around in rotorcrafts.
Joshua is a professional geologist with over 17 years of experience in the environmental and oil and gas industries in northeast British Columbia. He started his career as a wireline field engineer working doing formation evaluations, perforating production zones, casing and cement evaluations and setting plugs and cement to abandon wells.
Since 2010, he has developed technical skills in a variety of environmental areas. He has conducted, managed, and provided technical oversight for groundwater monitoring programs, environmental site assessments, remediation programs and emergency spill response programs. He has worked at upstream and downstream oil and gas sites, landfills, and commercial locations. In both capacities Josh has managed staff and projects, including supervising multiple crews and managing deadlines to ensure client projects were completed safely, on time and on budget.
In his spare time Josh loves hanging out with his family. They think he’s a Gneiss dad/geologist and don’t take him for granite.
With over a decade and a half in the environmental sector, Brendan stands as an authority on comprehensive regulatory, environmental assessments and management strategies. Serving in a pivotal leadership capacity, he acts as the liaison between clients, regulatory bodies, and stakeholders, ensuring seamless communication and effective outcomes. Brendan’s expertise encompasses an array of programs, ranging from large facility and pipeline regulatory applications throughout western Canada to meticulous Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs). His role has expanded since 2014 to oversee environmental initiatives for a diverse clientele, spanning the oil and gas sectors, as well as commercial, industrial, and residential land development. His responsibilities extend to areas such as management of large teams completing environmental capital projects, site remediation and reclamation, and complex regulatory compliance.
Brendan has also expanded his purview to include the intricate relationship between environmental liability and ESG metrics. He offers a wealth of consultative expertise on sustainability regulations, coupling effective team management with client and stakeholder success. His balanced approach to environmental team management, governance and business optimization places him at the cutting edge of the industry.
Outside of work, he enjoys playing with his kids, downhill skiing with his brother, and reading.
Adam brings over 12 years of energy industry experience to the 360 team, with three of those years as a wellsite supervisor. He has an acute understanding of project planning, management, and execution. Beginning as a drilling rig floorhand, Adam has complemented his engineering skillset with hands-on experience in a variety of field operations including drilling/completion and abandonment of oil and gas wells, facility commissioning, and facility decommissioning. Adam is regarded as a subject matter expert on wellbore remediation and is an active member of multiple industry groups including the Well Integrity and Abandonment Society. He specializes in surface casing vent flow and gas migration source identification and repair techniques. Adam leads teams of professionals working on large-scale well abandonment campaigns and consistently delivers projects below standard industry costs. He is a Professional Engineer in good standing with APEGA and PEO and is currently serving the Drilling and Completions Committee of Energy Safety Canada by volunteering as Co-Chair of IRP-30 – Temporary Wellbore Suspensions.
When Adam is not working, he can be found enjoying time with his three children or working on a project vehicle in his garage.
Mike is responsible for developing strategic initiatives that support 360’s organic growth, acquisitions, and technological evolution. He also advises 360’s execution groups on ARO assessments, closure strategy, and asset transfers. Mike uses his diverse experience in economics and closure execution to derive a standardized methodology for assessing liability and risk in oil and gas. He is a graduate of the University of Alberta’s School of Business, where he earned his Bachelor of Commerce.
Mike enjoys spending time with his wife Kelsey and their dogs Bauer, Miller, and Pippa. Some of his other favourite past times include golfing and watching sports.
Reilly is a seasoned business and financial leader with over 12 years of progressive accounting, finance, and treasury experience. He is responsible for leading the finance and accounting functions at 360, which include financial planning, treasury, and performance management. He is also involved in all aspects of the M&A cycle from due diligence through integration. Prior to joining 360 in 2021, Reilly spent 10 years at KPMG and was responsible for leading audit engagements for a diverse array of public and private companies, including involvement with numerous acquisitions and debt/equity financings. He graduated with distinction from St. Francis Xavier University, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and has been a Chartered Accountant since 2014.
Outside the office, Reilly enjoys travelling, spending time with his family and dabbles in golf and squash.
Lindy is an Energy Professional with over 17 years of progressive accomplishments in major asset exchanges, acquisition & divestitures, contract analysis and administration. She obtained a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary, majoring in Petroleum Land Management. After spending her career working for energy producers, she joined the 360 team in 2018 to support corporate development, strategic planning, and governance solutions. She utilizes her business acumen to recognize external and internal trends and loves watching team members succeed. Lindy and the Corporate Services team provide foundational business services to support 360’s growth and strive daily to nurture a fun and challenging culture.
Lindy rarely turns down a round of golf and enjoys the company of big, hairy dogs.
Janet holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and is a Professional Agrologist with 25 years of experience in the energy industry and 15 years in environmental consulting. She is responsible for business unit strategic growth, delivering fiscal results, and the development and maintenance of internal operational procedures. With strong organizational and communication skills, Janet is committed to maintaining team and client confidence. Prior to joining 360, she oversaw the Regulatory and Site Closure division at another start-up consulting firm and has also been responsible for managing the Planning Division at a large, publicly traded energy services company. She led multi-disciplinary teams in the completion of a variety of site assessment and closure activities. Janet developed and executed dozens of underwater and soil monitoring programs for EPEA permitted facilities under both the AER and AEP and has designed and carried out remediation action plans at sites across Alberta.
Away from the office she loves to travel and explore unfamiliar places, makes a mean curry, and enjoys relaxing with a glass of wine (or two).
360 executed a closure campaign in central Alberta, offering our client a complete turnkey closure solution.
Project Summary:
Highlights:
Amanda is responsible for our People Operations at 360 where she is passionate about leadership development and the growth and development of our employees. She has over 11 years of experience in human resources and is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR). She is a graduate of Mount Royal University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Amanda is an advocate for fostering a safe place for open communication and transparency to create a culture which supports employee empowerment. In addition to her work in human resources, Amanda oversees 360’s Community, Wellness and Social committees; geared at finding new ways to drive employee engagement and encouraging the 360 team to prioritize their physical and mental well-being.
Outside of work, Amanda likes to spend time with her family and can often be found cheering on her son playing hockey and her daughter dancing.
The 360 team has worked on area-based closure programs for a major international energy producer for multiple years. As part of these programs, the team has completed 25 CoR Part 1s and 15 CoR part 2s.
360 worked with a 100% Indigenous-Owned partner to execute the NEBC program. Successes of the program included safety records and on-time and on-budget execution of the work.
The scope of the program consisted of the following activities:
The City of Edmonton had expanded around a large legacy contaminated site associated with a 1950’s well blowout, and 360 was engaged to complete all portions of the environmental and regulatory program. A thorough environmental plan along with significant stakeholder engagement was required in order for the client to continue to develop, and to ensure ecological and human health protection.
360 completed a large delineation program (Phase 2 ESA) to evaluate all contamination, aquatic, soil, and aquifer receptors and determine the environmental effects, and completed an intensive exposure control plan to satisfy the AER and demonstrate the various remedial and exposure options to move the site forward. A Site-Specific Liability Assessment (SSLA) was completed near the end of the project to evaluate the costs required to remediate the site and ensure liability was accurately assessed and accounted for.
The released substances consisted of undetermined fluids that potentially included: used oil, gasoline, antifreeze, de-icers, detergent, herbicides, and other unknown liquids.
360 was responsible for characterization of the released substance, assessment of potential impact to the creek, monitoring of creek water, communication with AEP and the City of Calgary representatives, and achieving environmental closure compliant with regulatory requirements.
360 was able to achieve environmental regulatory closure through detailed examination of laboratory results of over 150 organic compounds analyzed as part of Open Organic Scan in combination with professional judgement, and justifications.
Client first engaged 360 to redevelop its methodology for characterization and risk assessment of assets across Canada, the United States and South America. The project comprised more than 6,000 assets through multiple regulatory jurisdictions and involved more than 100 stakeholders. The methodology was accepted by all levels of the client’s assurance processes, including its external financial auditor, and was used to disclose environmental obligations on its financial statements.
360 has continued to work on risk assessment projects inside of the client’s legacy upstream oil and gas well portfolio directly and also through engagement with partners. These projects include geological studies and wellbore risk assessment, emissions detection and quantification, emissions characterization, buried facility identification, regulatory submissions, and emissions elimination on leaking wellbores. 360 has provided full scale services for these projects including research, project planning, collaboration with the Technical Assurance teams, and field execution.
360 was awarded the risk assessment of the largest energy project in Canadian history, in which our client is a stakeholder. The project includes review and assessment of a 400-hectare site utilizing GIS based mapping tools, drone photography and 3D modelling software that incorporates topographical surveyed plots and layered plot plans. The data provided by 360 is intended to support the facility consortium throughout the project life cycle including asset retirement obligations.
360 was engaged by a major Canadian financial institution to conduct ARO Assessments for multiple divestiture processes within their upstream portfolio. The scope was to review, assess, and assign liability to multiple sales packages. The cumulative ARO value assessed on all engagements has exceeded more than $4 Billion.
A leading legal firm engaged 360 on behalf of its client to conduct an ARO Assessment and act as an expert witness for an ongoing litigation. 360 assessed the abandonment, remediation, and reclamation costs associated with disputed properties and provided guidance on technical and regulatory matters impacting closure. The case is expected to proceed to trial and 360 will act as an expert witness during the court proceedings.
In September 2021, a well in the Bellis field of eastern Alberta was drilled horizontally, with surface casing set at 244 meters and cemented to prevent gas migration. Production casing was set at 819 meters, and four horizontal legs were drilled for oil extraction. However, an active surface casing vent flow and gas migration issue was discovered in October 2021.
To address this problem, 360 was contracted for intervention. Sucker rods and production tubing were removed, and diagnostic tools were used to identify two potential gas sources. Perforations and acidization attempts were made at 280 meters to connect with the gas source, with multiple tries and pressure adjustments. Eventually, a cement job was performed, and after curing and testing, the well passed the pressure test. The surface casing vent flow was eliminated, and the well was restored to production.
This intervention successfully resolved the wellbore integrity issues, allowing for continued production without surface casing vent flow and gas migration problems.
360 was engaged to consult on setback requirements on abandoned wellbores near a residential development outside of Edmonton, Alberta. During development construction, a crew uncovered a buried facility that had been previously undetected. 360 was engaged to assist and determined that the crew had discovered an abandoned on-site flowline that was lined with materials containing asbestos. A work plan for removal was developed including asbestos abatement and the pipeline was safely removed from the site.
360 has been involved in the plugging and abandonment of orphan wells across many regions of North America. We were recently engaged in a project in the state of Montana to assist in plugging of orphan wells drilled in the early 1900’s. 360 provided engineering, regulatory, on-site management, and third party procurement of the required well servicing equipment and plugging supplies. Orphan well projects require adaptability due to varying regulatory requirements by region and unavailable well data – 360 has experience managing these risks while maintaining control over unanticipated costs.
360 submitted an application for a client’s facilities to become a TIER Aggregate while also compiling a complete emissions project as per the new Directive 060 January 2020 requirements, including a Fugitive Emissions Management Plan (FEMP) and Methane Reduction and Retrofit Compliance Plan (MRRCP). We also ensured compliance with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) Multi-Sector Air Pollutants Regulation, which included registering stationary spark ignition engines and setting up a testing schedule.
360 led a team of technicians tasked with locating over 1,100 abandoned oil wells over a 1,500 square km area, and detecting/measuring emissions at each. The project took place in Northeast Alberta. Using advanced equipment and technology paired with cutting edge software, all in-scope wells were located and accurately tested/measured for methane emissions.
Regulatory Specialists from 360 successfully led the regulatory and environmental component of an upstream oil & gas project in which a gas processing plant expanded 140 MMSCF/D to 580 MMSCF/D. 360 successfully completed an AUC exemption application for a 24 MW power plant, an approved EPEA amendment application for the facility, and a successful D056 license within a 70 day timeline. Supplementary services included a pre-disturbance assessment, conservation and reclamation plan, and QAES ephemeral draw assessment and mitigation.
360 completed an extensive ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) report for a large energy producer within the Canadian energy sector. This report included calculating direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2) emissions, evaluating initiatives aimed at reducing all emissions, developing an environmental action plan to reduce climate and land footprint, along with calculating all safety, environmental and stakeholder metrics. All information was combined into a formal and creative ESG report that followed an integrated framework approach, using SASB, TCFD, and GRI frameworks. 360 is GRI certified and the report was fully GRI compliant.
Three coinciding pipeline failures resulted in the release of approximately 180 m3 of crude oil and produced water into a remote muskeg wetland of north-central Alberta.
360 was in charge of the spill response, primary source removal, environmental assessments, surface water and groundwater monitoring, development of site-specific clean-up guidelines, and remediation.
Remediation was completed and resulted in the excavation and landfill disposal of 83,000 tonnes of impacted soil, with close monitoring and collaboration with the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) and First Nations.
Our role also included direct involvement and environmental consultant support during negotiations between our client and their insurance company.
After remediation and excavation, 360 completed a Domestic Use Aquifer (DUA) assessment using a sonic rig for Tier 2 Guideline development. The sites are currently under ongoing environmental monitoring by 360 for natural attenuation of residual impacts.
The client engaged 360 for a diesel fuel release assessment, mitigation plan, and execution of a Remediation Action Plan (RAP) after diesel was spilled into a fish-bearing creek. Collaborating with AEP, DFO, and Environment Climate Change Canada, 360 complied with EPEA Enforcement Order mandates. They prepared essential plans including Aquatic Environmental Assessment, Wildlife Management, and Remediation. Groundwork involved impact assessments on wetlands, aquatic/fish habitats, and wildlife. Measures were established for identified wildlife risks, encompassing ungulates, amphibians, waterfowl, and raptors. They conducted night surveys and pinpointed wood frog locations, assessed ungulate traffic areas, and ensured proper release reporting.
Challenges comprised diverse safety hazards such as falling trees due to beavers, mud risks, proximity to water bodies, VOC exposure, and vehicular congestion. 360 actively engaged in safety meetings with consultants, managing hazards systematically per established protocols and prior experience.
Approximately 50 m3 of methanol and water mixture was released into wetland. Methanol at concentration of nearly 300,000 mg/L impacted approximately 0.2 ha of muskeg. The release response, environmental assessment, and impact remediation was under direct monitoring of the AER.
In collaboration with AER, 360 developed and used the site-specific risk-based cleanup values for methanol and was able to achieve regulatory closure.
360 developed a Best Management Practice (BMP) document designed to outline the safe procedures required for conducting Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) work on land with native vegetation inhabited by various species, including the greater sage-grouse, greater short-horned lizard, burrowing owl, swift fox, sage thrasher, and ferruginous hawk. This BMP delineated the practices that 360 deemed the most practical and effective for safeguarding the land, its vegetation, and the wildlife during the work. These tasks encompassed activities like wildlife sweeping, line locating, borehole placement, sample extraction and storage, as well as vehicle and equipment mobilization and demobilization. Compliance with the guidelines and mandates of the Canada Species at Risk Act, 2002 (SARA) for work on greater sage-grouse occupied land was central to the document’s preparation.
The greater sage-grouse, which attained endangered status in Canada in 1998 and under Alberta’s Wildlife Act (2000) in 2000, presence is currently limited to just 7% of their historical distribution in Canada, with an estimated population of only 150 adult birds. Protecting the greater sage-grouse holds ecological significance due to its coexistence with other native species in the grasslands, some of which are also listed in SARA. Safeguarding these habitats contributes to the conservation of other wildlife and native vegetation, including sagebrush, native grasses, and native forbs.
360 was engaged to provide on-site advisory and monitoring in the aftermath of an unexpected explosion caused by an unknown legacy gas well in downtown Wheatley, Ontario. Services provided to the municipality included:
Ensuring adequate monitoring and safety precautions
Sample acquisition
Advise fire department on evac zone
Jeff is a professional agrologist with more than 35 years of experience in oil and gas site reclamation and remediation closure phases in northern Alberta. He has been involved on both the government regulatory side of Alberta environmental legislation, and the industry side; bringing oilfield disturbances from pre-disturbance full circle to closure and issuance of reclamation certification. In 1994, Jeff and his brother started the environmental consulting group SHARP Environmental Ltd. (SHARP). SHARP serviced the northern region of western Canada for more than 25 years, bringing advanced practical and technical knowledge to remote sites. Jeff managed many large scope, area-based closure projects where his reclamation and remediation team played a key role in coordinating with various groups to complete winter road construction, well abandonment, facility decommissioning, assessment, reclamation, and remediation work. SHARP joined the 360 group in May 2022 and has since grown their business in reclamation and remediation across western Canada.
When not in an argo or a helicopter accessing remote sites, Jeff can be found cheering for the Edmonton Oilers, or out on a local lake fishing.
Connect on LinkedIn
Mark is a graduate of the University of Alberta and has 13 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. Prior to founding 360 Energy Liability Management in 2015, Mark spent time in both field and office-based roles for a major oilfield services company where he developed a reputation for visionary leadership and an aptitude for improving operational efficiencies. As a leader, Mark epitomizes integrity, energy, hard work, and attention to detail; qualities which permeate the company’s culture. His example promotes an environment focused on innovative thought, continual improvement and celebrating achievements. Prior to his career in oil and gas, Mark played five years in the Western Hockey League and four years of collegiate hockey for the University of Alberta, where he won a national championship. Outside of the office, Mark is an Institute of Corporate Directors Certified Director and sits as a director on the board for The Balance Foundation and Co-Chairs the board of The Calgary Downtown Association.
Most weekends, Mark can be found hiking, cycling, or skiing with his family in the Bow Valley.
Bryce is a registered Professional Geoscientist in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario and is a founding partner at 360. As Chief Regulatory & Compliance Officer, he is regarded as a leader in the environmental space and acts as an executive advisor internally and externally to multiple clients; providing strategic closure and regulatory planning to align execution practices with corporate strategy. With over 25 years of experience in the environmental and regulatory fields, Bryce started his career as an environmental consultant working in the oil and gas sector in northwest British Columbia and northeast Alberta. He then moved to a regulatory position with the British Columbia Ministry of Environment where he was responsible for regulatory policy development, compliance, and enforcement. His diverse experience allowed him to find innovative and economic solutions to address environmental and regulatory issues while still operating within the existing regulatory framework.
Outside of work, you will find Bryce spending time with his wife and family, playing squash or fly fishing on the Bow River.
Ryan is a graduate of the University of Guelph where he completed a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Economics. With a diverse service background, he has leveraged this into ownership positions in multiple oilfield service businesses. From 2011 to 2017 he built and grew Rigless Rentals Inc. prior to its sale to Frac Shack International. During that time, he was also instrumental in successfully launching 360 Energy Liability Management. His vision and energy drives growth for 360 while infusing an entrepreneurial spirit into the corporate culture. Ryan pushes industry engagements and business interactions to propel 360 to the forefront of the liability management sector. The transition to team leader and entrepreneur came easily for Ryan having completed a first career as a professional rugby player. A former captain of the Canadian team, he played 51 games, 3 Rugby World Cups and played professionally in France and New Zealand.
Ryan spends his free time in the mountains with his wife and 3 boys, golfing and trying to avoid crashing his mountain bike. He has a love for all sports, coaching rugby, and watching his kids cause trouble.
“Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt.”
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Firstname Lastname
Title goes here.
Started January 1, 2023
