Water - Husky Energy Community Report 2016

Recycling Produced Water at Wainwright

Husky recycles all produced water at its Wainwright waterflood project, re-injecting it into the formation. The Company also uses produced water from other operations in the area as makeup water, reducing the amount of non-saline groundwater required for operations. In 2016, a saline groundwater aquifer was identified as a source to further reduce the need for non-saline groundwater.

Water Collaboration

Husky:

is taking part in the Devonian Aquifer Working Group, to better understand and manage this hydrogeological system in the oil sands region. It is a joint industry project of Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA), an alliance of oil sands producers focused on improving environmental performance through the development and sharing of innovative approaches.
participates in the Water Technology Development Centre, which will test technologies and practices to reduce water use and improve energy efficiency for thermal operations in Alberta’s oil sands.

Husky’s internal Water Standard provides for responsible water use. Its water risk management approach and metrics are detailed in annual submissions to the CDP Water Program. It enhances responsible water use through the use of technology and collaborative management strategies.

In considering a water source for its operations, Husky evaluates risks, including reliability, technical feasibility, net environmental effect, economics, and regulatory and stakeholder concerns. Where risks are identified, mitigation plans are developed.

Water Withdrawals

Husky tracks water metrics across all business units using its Environmental Performance Reporting System. It participates in a number of national and international programs to help drive better measurement and transparency across the industry of water use and issues.

Husky withdraws water for industrial use, drawing on saline and non-saline sources, including non-saline industrial wastewater.

Non-saline water withdrawal increased in 2016, due in part to the Edam East, Edam West and Vawn Lloyd thermal projects starting production and the Rush Lake Lloyd thermal project having ramped up to full production.

The approximately 6.6 million cubic metres (m³) of non-saline water withdrawn for use in Husky’s refineries was offset by the 4.4 million m³ returned to the surface hydrologic cycle after being treated in multiple stages, including separating oil from the water and applying biological treatments. The water is tested before being discharged to ensure regulatory compliance.

The withdrawal of 19.5 million m³ of offshore saline water in 2016 was offset by the discharge back to the sea of 13.4 million m³ of cooling water.

Non-Saline Water Withdrawal by Watershed

Husky assesses ways to conserve and recycle water, including options to reuse produced water or other industrial wastewater.

In 2016, about 99 percent of non-saline water withdrawals occurred in areas considered not water short or low intensity, as defined by provincial regulatory bodies. Approximately one percent of the withdrawals occurred in areas considered potentially water short or moderate intensity. Less than 0.1 percent of the withdrawals were in areas considered water short or high intensity.

About 60 percent of Husky’s onshore non-saline withdrawals were from the North Saskatchewan River watershed in Alberta and Saskatchewan and used primarily in thermal production and upgrading operations. Water is withdrawn from along the river in areas that aren’t considered water short.

Approximately 21 percent of onshore non-saline withdrawals were from the Maumee River watershed in Ohio, for use at the Lima Refinery. Approximately 70 percent was returned to the surface hydrological cycle after being treated.