Oil and Gas Polluting Less, Says Group

Greenhouse gas emissions remained relatively flat over 2011 despite a 1 percent increase in production, says an industry group.

The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) highlighted that nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide continued a multi-year decline in its annual report released Wednesday.

Fresh water withdrawals were also down 12 percent to 2.7 barrels per barrel of production at oil sands operations due to efforts to recycle more water and use non-potable water sources where possible.

Land use increased 14 percent to 36,840 wells, while about half of some 32,000 wells are under active reclamation.

“The oil and gas industry requires social licence to conduct its activities,” said CAPP president Dave Collyer.

“Social licence is broader than transparent measurement and reporting of industry performance data alone. It must be underscored by the sincere belief that the upstream oil and gas industry—both companies and individuals—will behave responsibly and in the broader public interest.”

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