ENGG 101

Appropriate Technology Assignment

Winter 2012

Overview: The Story so Far

The situation described below is based on current events, and all companies and perspectives mentioned
are fictitious.
Conduit Systems is an industry leader in crude oil and pipeline transport. Based in Fort McMurray, the
company has implemented many pipeline projects in its 42 year history, including the ArtiLine, a pipeline
from Northern Alberta to the Northwest Territories, and the Jetstream, a line that ends in Northern
Manitoba.
Conduits newest project, the Eastern Connection, is a proposed pipeline from Athabasca that will
connect to a port in British Columbia. Conduit believes that it will provide approximately 900 jobs to
communities surrounding the pipeline. Conduit recently released the proposed pipelines path, which is
shown in the figure below:

To BC

The diagram above shows that the pipeline crosses the Athabasca River, and is in close proximity to a
First Nations reserve.
The pipeline has received support as well as criticism. The government has shown support for the project,
while First Nations have expressed their disapproval for the project.
Based upon the position assigned to you in class, is the pipeline appropriate technology for Alberta?

Perspectives
The project has met both praise and opposition, with many perspectives on both sides of the spectrum.
Below are some of the perspectives:

Engineer
"As part of the pipeline design team at Conduit Systems, it is our responsibility to ensure that our oil is
transported in the most efficient manner and to prevent the possibility of an oil spill.
The pipeline's route has been determined to be very effective in the transport of oil, since the pipeline
travels in a relatively straight path, across Alberta's flat plains. This will significantly decrease the number
of resources to transport oil internationally. This route is also the most cost effective route.
We realize that the pipeline passes through many rivers, which is why we have included a system that is
able to detect an oil spill. We have incorporated multiple sensors along the pipe that are able to monitor
oil flow, pressure, and the temperature of the pipe. Barriers, initially set open, are placed every 100km
along the pipe.
In the case that an oil spill does occur, the sensors will be able to detect the change in oil flow and pipe
pressure, and will send a signal to the closest barrier, causing it to close and prevent further oil from
leaking from the pipe. We would then be able to inspect and repair any damage done to the pipeline.
The engineers at Conduit Systems are devoted to transporting oil in the most efficient manner, and it is
our responsibly to ensure that our designs are held accountable."

Conduit Systems Representative

We at Conduit Systems are dedicated to social responsibility, and the improvement of Canadas economy.
The pipeline will not only improve our economic relations with Asia, but it will also improve the local
economies of the communities in which we work, live, and play. We believe that the pipeline will provide
over 900 jobs, many of which are long term.
The project is more than just a pipeline; it is a bridge between Conduit Systems and First Nations
communities. We hope that a partnership with First Nations groups will become mutually beneficial in
the long-term. To realize this partnership, we are proposing to give 15% of pipeline ownership to First
Nations groups, and we will work with them to find compromise to concerns and issues regarding the
project. Since the pipeline travels through many First Nations communities, we sincerely believe that it
provide the First Nations people with long-lasting jobs, which in turn will improve their local economies.
With Conduit Systems expertise and reputation for pipeline projects, we know we will be able to enter
into the Asian market, and provide economic prosperity for local, national, and international
communities.

First Nations Leaders

"We do not support this pipeline project proposed by Conduit Systems. We believe that the project has
the potential to harm our environment, as well as our way of life. We hope that our voice is heard and
taken into consideration.
If an oil spill were to happen, it would be devastating to not only the environment, but also to our
resources and our way of life. The waters will become contaminated, the river life will die, and the land
will become uninhabitable for surrounding wildlife. A spill will ruin many of our cultural interactions
with our surroundings, which are traditions we have preserved for many years.
We realize that Conduit Systems is willing to give us 15% ownership of the pipeline, and provide many
of our people with jobs. But we cannot accept this offer. Our responsibility is to the environment and to
the values and traditions passed down from generation to generation. We will not relinquish these for the
sake of economic gain, not for Asia, Conduit Systems, or ourselves.

Analyst
We cannot deny that oil is one of the most needed resources in the world. We need it as energy, and it is
more economically viable than alternatives such as solar or nuclear. There are environmental concerns
with oil, but many developing nations require it to continue growth and provide energy for their people.
However, this does not mean we cant make steps towards sustainable oil production. In relation to the
Eastern Connection Pipeline, changing the route to avoid important natural resources would lessen the
environmental impact in the case of an oil spill. Sending refined oil, instead of crude oil, would also
lessen the environmental impact. Also, finding methods to increase the efficiency of oil would help
decrease overall oil consumption.
Due to the worlds dependency on oil, we should not consider moving away from oil. Instead, we need to
take steps in order to make the industry more efficient and more sustainable.

Politician
Supporting the Eastern Connection Pipeline is a tremendous display of our governments short sighted
thinking. They are not thinking about the environmental and social implications that this project will
produce, and they are only thinking about the short term economic gain. Sure, 900 jobs will be created,
but what happens when the pipeline is complete? The job creation is not permanent, and many workers
will have to look for another job.
How does the governments support for this project look on the global stage? The world will view us as a
nation striving for economic supremacy; one who attempts to acquire it at all costs without consideration
for the environment. An oil spill from this pipeline will have major media coverage, which would
effectively destroy Canadas reputation.
We also need to consider the First Nations people, and the government has the responsibility to listen to
their concerns. The approval of this project would not only be a loss for environmentalists, but a loss for
the First Nations people as well.