Glossary
Following are definitions of terms used throughout this report.
Abandoned Well
A well which is abandoned properly; i.e., plugged down-hole with cement, wellhead removed at surface, casing cut-off at a specified depth below ground surface, and a steel plate welded across the casing.
Annual Certification or Release Received
The number of sites that received a type of closure certificate (or an equivalent recognition of release) from the certifying authority in the jurisdiction during the reporting year.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Equivalent Emissions
A measure that accounts for the global warming potential (GWP) of each GHG, by relating each in terms of CO2 equivalent emissions, taking into account the longevity of the gas and its radiative forcing effect on the climate. Reported as the annual gross weight of direct and indirect GHG emissions from all operated facilities; in CO2E tonnes/year.
Contractor
Non-employees contracted to perform services for the company on the company’s worksites during the reporting year.
Contractor Recordable Injury Frequency (# per 200,000 hrs)
The number of contractor recordable injuries (fatalities + permanent total disabilities + lost work-day cases + restricted work cases + medical treatment cases) per 200,000 hours.
Direct Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Equivalent Emissions
Annual gross weight of direct GHG emissions from all operated facilities; in CO2E tonnes/year. Sources released on the site from combustion, venting, fugitive emissions, formation CO2, etc.
Disposed Water
The safe disposal of formation water and drilling and waste fluids down a wellbore in a deep formation that is not in communication with an aquifer.
Employees
Individuals employed by the company and engaged in work-related activities during the reporting year.
Employee Recordable Injury Frequency (# per 200,000 hrs)
The number of employee recordable injuries (fatalities + permanent total disabilities + lost work-day cases + restricted work cases + medical treatment cases) per 200,000 hours.
Flowback
Water that flows out of the well after a frac’ing operation and before the well is put on production.
Fresh Water
Water low in dissolved salts as defined by the regulation in the jurisdiction acquired. Withdrawn from surface water or groundwater sources, either permanently or temporarily.
Fresh Water Withdrawal
The total volume of fresh water that is acquired through removal or purchase from any source, either permanently or temporarily.
Indirect Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Equivalent Emissions
Annual gross weight of indirect GHG emissions from all operated facilities; in CO2E tonnes/year. Sources may be associated with another party, such as a utility company; for the oil and gas industry, it most commonly means purchased steam, heat and electricity.
Medical Treatment Cases
Injuries requiring treatment by a physician or medical professional (but are neither lost-time nor restricted-work injuries).
National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) Emissions Threshold
Facilities emitting more than 20 tonnes of NOx or SO2 in the reporting year must report to NPRI. Facilities where employee-hours were less than 20,000 hours in the reporting year only need to report NOx and SO2 from combustion emissions. Facilities with employee hours greater than this threshold are required to report emissions from all sources.
Nitrogen Oxide (NOX) Emissions
Formed during the combustion of fossil fuels. Nitrogen found in the combustion air or the fuel combines with oxygen under high temperatures to form oxides of nitrogen. Reported as annual gross weight of nitrogen oxide (NOX) emitted from combustion equipment or oil sands facilities during the year.
Non-Fresh Water
Water high in dissolved salts as defined by the regulation in the jurisdiction acquired and unsuitable for either domestic or agricultural use. Typically from groundwater, formation water or sea water.
Non-Fresh Water Withdrawal
The total volume of non-fresh water acquired.
Non-Saline Groundwater
Groundwater that has a total dissolved solids content as defined by the regulation in the jurisdiction of the operation.
Oil Equivalents
Oil equivalents (OE) is the most common way of reporting different hydrocarbon production (both oil and natural gas) in common units.
Produced Water
Water that flows out of the well once it is in production.
Recordable Injuries
The sum of lost-time injuries, restricted-work cases and medical treatment cases resulting from an event in the work environment.
Restricted-Work Cases
Cases in which an individual is unable to perform normally- assigned work functions or is assigned to another temporary or permanent job after the day of the injury.
Saline Groundwater
Groundwater that has a total dissolved solids fresh (low dissolved salts) as defined by the regulation in the jurisdiction of the operation.
Self-Sustaining Landscape
Refers to the establishment of a landscape and associated vegetation that will naturally evolve over time, adapting to change while maintaining the native ecosystem.
Shale Gas
Natural gas found in fine-grained sedimentary rock. The gas is tightly locked in small pore spaces in the reservoir rock requiring advanced technologies to drill and fracture the gas-bearing zones.
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) Emissions
A major component of a group of airborne contaminants termed “acidifying emissions.” Reported as annual gross weight of sulphur dioxide (SO2) emitted from combustion equipment from all operated facilities that individually emitted 20 tonnes or more of sulphur dioxide emissions during the year.
Suspended Well
An inactive well that still has surface wellhead equipment and may produce in the future; however, for economic, environmental or other reasons is not currently viable.
Tight Gas
Natural gas found in sands and carbonate that have a very low permeability, which is a measure of how well a gas or fluid flows through a rock. The gas is stored in the very small pore spaces in the rock.
Tight Oil
Natural gas found in sands and carbonate that have a very low permeability, which is a measure of how well a gas or fluid flows through a rock. The gas is stored in the very small pore spaces in the rock.
Tonnes emissions emitted per m3 of oil equivalent of production
The total (gross) weight of emissions emitted from oil and gas production activities or facilities per cubic metre of oil equivalent production.
Worker
The term used to address contractors and employees collectively.
Worker Recordable Injury Frequency (# per 200,000 hrs)
The number of contractor and employee recordable injuries (fatalities + permanent total disabilities + lost work-day cases + restricted work cases + medical treatment cases)