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Water use intensity is the number of barrels of water needed to produce one barrel of oil or equivalent (BOE*).

We regulate the energy industry’s use of nonsaline water from Alberta water sources (i.e., surface water, groundwater, and surface runoff).

Energy companies use water for their projects and activities and the amount used varies by industry. Oil and gas operators are required to reduce and recycle water in their operations as much as possible, and we report on their water use annually in our Water Use Performance Report.

*BOE = barrel of oil equivalent 

Nonsaline water use intensity by extraction technology

Data is released annually in December. 

Highlights

Industry average trend