Pathways Alliance's CCS Project in Alberta Raises Concerns Over Water Use and Environmental Impact

The Pathways Alliance, comprising Canadian Natural, Cenovus, ConocoPhillips, Imperial, and Suncor, plans a carbon capture and storage (CCS) project in Alberta, aiming to reduce CO₂ emissions by 10 to 12 megatonnes annually by 2030. The project will connect 20 oilfield CCS plants to a central storage hub in Cold Lake, 400 kilometers away.

Experts warn that water usage could be significantly higher than the Alberta government's optimistic estimate of 220 liters per tonne of CO₂, with some suggesting it could reach 740 liters. Concerns include the project's potential impact on water availability in an already stressed region, with industrial water demand in Alberta already exceeding 222 billion liters in 2023.

The Pathways Alliance has not disclosed specific water usage data, raising alarm among local First Nations regarding environmental risks. The project will be divided into at least 66 segments for regulatory applications, complicating accountability and assessment.