Projects

Earthmaster was hired by The City of Calgary to naturalize a 5-hectare roadside site, replacing turfgrass with wildflower and grass mix. Initially blanketed with an annual flower cover crop, it became a prairie meadow with native species within 3 years. The turfgrass was mowed, de-thatched, and treated with herbicide, leaving stubble to support seeding. A mix of annual and perennial wildflower and grass seeds, following the City of Calgary Seed Mixes guide, was sown using a no-till seed drill in mid-June. To aid pollinators, 15 solitary and 15 social bee boxes were installed. Despite late planting and harsh conditions, a variety of flowers and grasses thrived. Replacing turfgrass with native species will lower maintenance, support pollinators, and offer resilience to extreme weather. This approach enhances sustainability, ecological function, and reduces costs and emissions.

• Urban Naturalization

An oil and gas producer received an environmental compliance warning from the regulator for a watercourse crossing. The culvert, transferred during an asset acquisition, was improperly installed, leading to a 1.10 m elevation that obstructed fish passage on a Bull Trout spawning tributary. Earthmaster quickly assessed the crossing and developed a rehabilitation plan. A hydrologic analysis guided the project, which required various regulatory approvals. Sedimentation was minimized during instream work, and the culvert was replaced. Earthmaster supervised the project, including planning, safety, construction, and fish habitat restoration. The regulator was satisfied with the timely completion, and the client appreciated the efficient, on-budget work. Fish habitat was restored, and the LOC was returned to full operation. Annual inspections now ensure the crossing’s longevity.

• Watercourse Management

Earthmaster conducted migratory bird sweeps before vegetation removal for a gravel pit and crushing facility. Applying the Migratory Birds Convention Act, Species at Risk Act, and Alberta Wildlife Act, Earthmaster performed detailed sweeps to identify avian species in a Key Wildlife Biodiversity Zone along the North Saskatchewan River. Transects covered the proposed removal area, a 200 m buffer, and the riverbank. Various identification methods were used, and a mitigation plan was developed to continue construction without disturbing birds. Earthmaster maintained clear communication with the operator, ensured safe practices, and met or exceeded legislative requirements. A construction plan was created to minimize the impact on bird species.

• Assessment

A major oil and gas producer sought to reduce the time from wellsite abandonment to reclamation certification, due to population growth pressures in their operational area. They also aimed to remediate contaminated soil from both abandoned and operational sites, affected by 'light end' hydrocarbons. On-site treatment was impractical due to proximity to residents. To address landowner concerns and meet municipal and provincial guidelines, Earthmaster collaborated with the client to build a standalone oilfield waste treatment facility. Earthmaster designed and constructed a three-hectare facility for processing contaminated soil from various sites. Earthmaster has operated this facility for over 20 years, remediating and recycling over 148,000 tonnes of soil that would otherwise have gone to landfill saving the client over $900,000. The facility has maintained excellent regulatory compliance, thanks to precise treatment records, strong relationships with landowners, and rigorous maintenance.

• Reclamation
• Remediation

A large oil and gas producer tasked Earthmaster with completing 100 Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) within three months at a fixed cost per site. Earthmaster’s specialized team initiated the office portion of the ESAs while field staff conducted site inspections and interviews. Field data was relayed daily to expedite report finalization. The project, started in late July, was completed ahead of schedule, with all reports delivered by mid-September. Earthmaster also provided a summary table detailing land use, ownership, assessment results, and estimated costs for any necessary follow-up actions.

• Assessment
• Regulatory Compliance

An intermediate oil and gas company asked Earthmaster to remediate over 9,000 m³ of hydrocarbon-impacted soil from emulsion spills. Due to the high trucking costs to the nearest Class 2 landfill, an alternative disposal method was needed. Earthmaster proposed phytoremediation using PEPSystems®. Three regulator approved soil treatment facilities were set up near the contaminated sites. After spreading the soil to a depth of 0.40 m, it was conditioned, amended, and seeded with a PGPR-treated grass mix in late autumn. In the first treatment year, plant growth was robust, achieving 100% ground cover. Soil tests showed a 65% reduction in F2 hydrocarbons and a 17% decrease in F3 levels. Based on results from similar sites, Alberta Tier 1 Criteria were met within three growing seasons. The project’s cost is forecast to be 30-40% lower than landfill disposal.

• Phytoremediation

A large oil and gas company tasked Earthmaster with completing 104 Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) on recently abandoned sites within six months. To meet this challenge, Earthmaster quickly assembled a skilled team of experienced professionals. A detailed project plan ensured timeline, safety, budgets, client communication, and reporting were maintained. A custom reporting template was developed, and weekly updates were provided by a dedicated project manager. Earthmaster completed all 104 ESAs on time and within budget, maintaining high safety and quality standards. The successful management and execution of this project led to an ongoing partnership with the client.

• Assessment
• Regulatory Compliance

Earthmaster was contracted to provide phytoremediation services to treat 7,800 m³ of salt and hydrocarbon contaminated soil onsite at a remote abandoned oil and gas well site located in the Northwest Territories. PEPSystems was deployed at the site to treat the soil in place over multiple growing seasons. The treatment was successful, leaving the site in compliance with regulatory requirements and ready for reclamation.

• Phytoremediation
• Reclamation

Earthmaster was contracted by a client to conduct in-house proof-of-concept studies for phytoremediation of persistent methanol in clay soil in a northern location. Despite methanol being highly volatile, persistence in the soil coincided with significant loss of healthy soil bacteria and inhibition of plant growth. A successful pilot study led to full-scale implementation of phytoremediation treatment.

• R&D Services

A mid-sized oil and gas producer abandoned 30 shallow gas wellsites in native grasslands within the same field. Earthmaster collaborated closely with the landowner to ensure comfort with the reclamation plan and timing. Local client personnel were consulted for safety permits, communication protocol, and work scope. Earthmaster coordinated equipment and materials, using landowner-approved topsoil, to reclaim the wellsites in a single effort. The process included topdressing, recontouring, preparing seed beds, sowing site-specific seed mixes, and fencing to protect from cattle. Effective cost control was achieved by managing all projects together, and strong communication was established with the landowner and client personnel, ensuring a successful project.

• Reclamation

A mid-sized oil and gas producer experienced a pipeline break and contacted Earthmaster at 7:00am after shutting down the pipeline. Our consultant arrived on-site by 9:00am. The consultant found water and hydrocarbons pooling in a farmer's field. Earthmaster, with qualified contractors, swiftly contained the spill and began fluid recovery, retrieving over 600 m³ of produced water and hydrocarbons. The next day, an electromagnetic (EM) survey, surface water, and soil sampling were conducted. We identified and removed 4,200 tonnes of contaminated soil to prevent plume migration, all while keeping the concerned landowner informed. The Earthmaster consultant also saw an opportunity to convert the low-lying area into a runoff water holding area for the landowner’s farm. With approval, we re-contoured the area, saving $125,000 that would have been spent on restoring the land to its original state. The project, from release to site rehabilitation, took five weeks. Both the client and landowner were pleased with the response.

• Spill Response
• Reclamation

A major oil and gas producer needed a Reclamation Certificate for an abandoned wellsite in southern Alberta. After Earthmaster completed Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments and remediation, final surface reclamation was needed. During pre-ground disturbance hydrovacing, it was found that the wellbore was cut and capped 70 cm below the surface, whereas regulations required it to be at least 2 m below final contour. Re-entering and cutting the wellbore would cost $150,000. Before approaching the client, Earthmaster explored cost-effective options. It was decided that hauling 3,000 m³ of nearby soil to cover the wellbore would meet regulatory requirements and be more economical. The client approved this plan. The site was reclaimed successfully, blending seamlessly with the landscape. Both the client and landowner were pleased with the outcome. This solution improved soil conditions and farming ease, saving the client about $100,000. The Reclamation Certificate was obtained two growing seasons after reclamation.

• Reclamation

A privately owned oil and gas producer was considering acquiring 115 wellsites and small facilities. For due diligence, they tasked Earthmaster with assessing the environmental status of each site to estimate overall liability and identify any major issues requiring significant future expenditure. Given the tight timeframe, Earthmaster swiftly assembled a team to review existing files and past environmental assessments. They conducted historical air photo reviews at the Alberta Air Photo repository and performed site visits on most locations. The liability assessment was completed and the report delivered within 22 days. The deal closed with Earthmaster’s findings enabling the client to negotiate a $4.5 million reduction in the purchase price due to two major environmental issues identified. The assessment cost $34,000, yielding a substantial return on investment for the client.

• Assessment

Earthmaster was contracted to construct a shallow open water wetland as a cost effected strategy for reclaiming an excavation that had filled with water resulting from remediation activities following a pipeline release. The wetland was constructed in a wooded poor fen area in northern Alberta. Based on the vegetation assessments the constructed wetland area was deemed to be a fully functional wetland microcosm compatible with the adjacent ecosystem, entirely self-sustaining and providing an opportunity for plants, wildlife, and waterfowl to thrive. The project secured regulatory compliance, offered cost-saving measures, and addressed stakeholder concerns. Its success influenced future wetland designs in the province.

• Watercourse Management
• Reclamation