Pierre River Mine Project

MINING AND PROCESSING ERCB SIRS 3 – 38
Question No. 17
Section 4.1
Request Volume 1, Section 10.1, Page 10-89, Supplemental Information Responses.
Shell states, “Shell is applying for both natural gas and asphaltene fuel
cogeneration to supply steam and power for the mine.” In Volume 1, Section
10.1, Page 10-106, Supplemental Information Responses, Shell states, “The
decision on when to build the asphaltene recovery plant depends on many
factors, including prevailing market conditions, joint venture partners’ financial
approval and regulatory conditions.”
17a Is Shell applying for approval to build both a natural gas and asphaltene
cogeneration system?
Response 17a Yes, Shell is applying to build one asphaltene-fired cogeneration unit and one
natural-gas-fired cogeneration unit. However, asphaltene energy recovery (AER)
technology is still under development and must meet Shell’s investment criteria
(see the May 2009 Pierre River Mine, Supplemental Information, Volume 1,
Section 1, Overview, page 1-8) before proceeding to design and construction. If
AER does not meet Shell’s investment criteria, then Shell will seek approval to
build two natural-gas fired cogeneration units. An assessment of the alternative
two natural-gas-fired cogeneration units was included in the EIA.
Request 17b Verify that Shell is committing to building both a natural gas and asphaltene
cogeneration system.
Response 17b See the response to ERCB SIR 17a.
Question No. 18
Request Volume 1, Section 10.1, Page 10-89, Supplemental Information Responses.
Shell states, “Greenhouse gas emissions are expected to be higher with AER
cogeneration than with natural gas as combustion.”
18a Provide a summary of the measures and controls that Shell will implement to
minimize greenhouse gas emissions for both asphaltene energy recovery (AER)
cogeneration and natural gas units.
Response 18a Shell is designing adequate plot space for both the natural-gas-fired cogeneration
unit and the AER cogeneration unit to be retrofitted for carbon capture
technology if this becomes a viable option in the future.
April 2010 Shell Canada Limited 4-15
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