NTNU involved in disputed industry
– It will always be a dirty industry, says Bellona
NTNU and three Canadian universities made a deal last fall with StatoilHydro about researching new technology for extracting oil sands. Environmental organizations are widely criticizing the extraction of oil from oil sands in Alberta, Canada.
– The world isn´t so desperate for energy that we need oil sands, says assistant manager in the environmental organization Bellona, Marius Holm.
He is strongly reacting to NTNU taking part in Statoil Hydro’s oil sands project in Canada.
– Extracting oil sands is a lot worse than any other oil extraction; it pollutes heavily during both the extraction process and when used for transportation, Holm says.
He does not think that it will be possible to make clean extractions.
– Bellona have been talking with experts in Canada, and they say that it will be hard to make the technology environmentally friendly. It might get less dangerous, but there is still a long way to go, says Holm.
He thinks that NTNU participating in this shows all the wrong values.
– If they have ambitions of being in the world lead in environmentally friendly education, their credibility is sinking, Holm thinks.
– Important deal
Jon Kleppe, leader of the Department of Petroleum Engineering and Applied Geophysics at NTNU does not agree with Holm.
– This oil isn’t any dirtier than other oil; it’s the steam heating that leads to the high levels of CO2 emissions, he says.
His department, together with the Department of Chemistry, is going to cooperate with the Canadian universities.
– Our goal is to make the extraction of heavy oil more environmental friendly and less energy demanding, says Kleppe.
He thinks it is important that NTNU takes part in this project.
– This is a long-term project. We will depend on oil in the future if there aren’t any breakthroughs with renewable energy sources, Kleppe says.
When it comes to the critique against NTNU, he states that there is a lack of knowledge in the debate.
– It’s wrong to point out operations made on the surface. We’re not digging up the oil, we’re making oil pumps. The only thing that will show on the surface is the top of the pumps and some mechanical equipment, Kleppe tells us.
– NTNU should make demands
Energy and environment adviser in the communication firm Geelmuyden-Kiese, Kristine Meek, thinks that NTNU has to make sure they do not end up as an environment hostage. According to her, NTNU should actively make demands to StatoilHydro during the process.
– If NTNU think that it is possible to extract oil sands in a more environmentally friendly way, they could demand the oil extraction stopped or reduced until a better technology had been developed, she suggests.
