Pierre River Mine Project

MINING AND PROCESSING ERCB SIRS 3 – 38
Section 4.1
In addition, Shell expects that future energy reductions (and subsequent
greenhouse gas reductions) will occur as experience from current and future
operations are incorporated into the Pierre River Mine design.
Request 18b Clarify Shell’s commitment to use the best available technology to minimize
greenhouse gas emissions for both AER cogeneration and natural gas units.
Response 18b Shell will comply with applicable policy and regulations for greenhouse gas
emissions.
Question No. 19
Request Volume 1, Section 10.1, Page 10-91 to 10-92, Tables 166-1 and 166-2,
Supplemental Information Responses.
Table 166-1 provides a summary of monthly bitumen recovery with oil sands
grade greater than 11%. Based on this table, on a monthly basis, Shell has
exceeded 90% target recovery for 13 months out of 46 months. Table 166-2
provides a summary of annual bitumen recovery. Based on this table submitted
for 2003-2008, Shell had not achieved the bitumen recovery as required under
ERCB ID 2001-7 Operating Criteria: Resource Recovery Requirements for Oil
Sands Mine and Processing Plant Sites.
19a Past performance shows that Shell has experienced challenges meeting bitumen
recovery requirements. Explain how Shell will meet the required bitumen
recovery to satisfy ERCB ID 2001-7.
Response 19a The response to the May 2009 Pierre River Mine, Supplemental Information,
Volume 1, SIR 166f, as well as the response to the December 2009 Jackpine
Mine Expansion, Supplemental Information SIR 137h, highlight improvements
to the original Muskeg River Mine design curve regarding bitumen recovery.
Shell will incorporate improvements currently being made at the Muskeg River
Mine, as well as those included in the new Jackpine Mine design to help improve
bitumen recovery performance for all oil sand grades. The knowledge gained
from these two operations will be used to improve the performance of the Pierre
River Mine facilities.
As stated in the May 2009 Pierre River Mine, Supplemental Information,
Volume 1, SIR 166f:
Shell has taken several initiatives at the Muskeg River Mine regarding the initial
design, with the objective of improving bitumen recovery, including:
• adding sodium citrate to increase bitumen recovery. Sodium citrate is
currently used at the Muskeg River Mine. The use of a chemical additive,
4-16 Shell Canada Limited April 2010
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