August 30, 2011
McMaster receives nearly $2.2-million for oil sands research
Hamilton, Ont. August 30, 2011—Researchers at McMaster University have received nearly $2.2-million to examine important environmental processes in Alberta’s oil sands, which could help speed up the land reclamation process for one of Canada’s largest oil companies.
The project team, led by Lesley Warren, a professor in the School of Geography & Earth Sciences at
McMaster, was recruited by Syncrude Canada Ltd. to investigate bacterial sulfur reactions occurring in its
composite tailings. Composite tailings are the byproduct of the oil sand extraction process. They are high in
alkalinity and salinity, and extremely low in organic matter.
Syncrude will invest more than $1.14-million over the three-year research project, with an additional
$1.05-million from a Collaborative Research & Development grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering
Research Council (NSERC).
“We are examining the biogeochemistry of the composite tailings, or more specifically, the role of bacteria in
sulfur cycling,” explains Warren. “The sulfur reactions occurring in the deposits cannot be explained solely by
chemical reactions, so we need to understand the whole process better and determine how bacteria are driving
the reactions.”
The research is critical to Syncrude because the company is in the process of creating a pilot 17-hectare fen
wetland, as well as its 50 ha watershed, as part of oil sands reclamation of a former mine at Mildred Lake, north
of Fort McMurray. The pilot fen will be established by placing peat, as well as plant and tree material recovered
from future mining areas, over composite tailings and sand.
“Syncrude is committed to responsible development and that includes continuous improvement in our
environmental performance,” said Brian Schleckser, Syncrude's Vice President of Technical. “This research will
provide vital information needed to effectively reclaim our former mine into a productive and healthy wetland that
supports natural processes.”
The research team will also include Brian McCarry, professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry, and
Greg Slater, associate professor in the School of Geography & Earth Sciences and up to 16 graduate and
undergraduate students, post-doctoral fellows and research technicians.
“This collaborative research project exemplifies the value of research partnerships between industry and
academia,” said NSERC President Suzanne Fortier. “Dr. Warren’s fundamental research addresses a major
challenge faced by Canadian oil sands operators, while also benefiting students who will be working on a
project that is highly relevant to industry.”
Att Editors: A high resolution photo of the Syncrude oil sands project north of Fort McMurray can be
found at: http://www.syncrude.ca/users/folder.asp?FolderID=5703
McMaster University, one of four Canadian universities listed among the Top 100 universities in the world, is
renowned for its innovation in both learning and discovery. It has a student population of 23,000, and more than
150,000 alumni in 128 countries.
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For more information, please contact:
Cheryl Robb
Media Relations Advisor
Syncrude
780-970-6923
www.syncrude.com
Michelle Donovan
Public Relations Manager
McMaster University
905-525-9140 ext. 22869
donovam@mcmaster.ca
Wade Hemsworth
Public Relations Manager
McMaster University
905-525-9140, ext. 27988
hemswor@mcmaster.ca