Pathways Project FAQs

May 7, 2026

Community engagement and consultation is a critical part of any major infrastructure investment proposal. For several years, Canadian Natural has been advancing the Pathways Project on behalf of the five project proponents: Canadian Natural, Cenovus, ConocoPhillips Canada, Imperial and Suncor. The Pathways Project is a proposed carbon dioxide (CO₂) transportation network and storage hub. When operational, it will transport and store captured CO₂ from multiple oil sands facilities in northeast Alberta.

Pathways Project proponents value their long-standing relationships in the communities where they operate and are committed to transparently sharing information about the project. Since the start of the consultation and engagement process in 2023, project proponents remain focused on understanding the concerns and addressing the issues of community stakeholders.

Several themes have emerged from conversations held so far. Below are some common questions the public often ask about the Pathways Project.

How is the CO₂ permanently stored?

The CO₂ (in a fluid state) will be injected and stored in the Basal Cambrian Sandstone (BCS) formation, roughly 1,000 to 2,000 metres underground. This formation is a porous rock (sandstone) and acts similarly to a sponge. As CO₂ enters the BCS, it becomes trapped in pore spaces within the rock. Over time, the CO₂ can solidify and become part of the rock itself.

Above the BCS storage layer is a thick layer of rock salt formations which are not porous, meaning fluids cannot pass through them. They act as a barrier to keep the CO₂ from moving upwards, creating a natural seal.

Taken together, these geologic features ensure that injected CO₂ remains permanently stored deep under the earth’s surface.

How is the CO₂ captured?

Each individual oil sands operator will manage carbon capture activities at their own facilities by installing CO₂ capture technology. For instance, for boilers and steam generators, flue gas ¹ is first collected from stationary combustion equipment. The CO₂ is then separated from the flue gas, compressed into liquid form, and transported on a specially designed pipeline to the storage hub.

Is the transportation network only accessible to Pathways Project proponents?

Once operating, the pipeline could be made available to other third parties for their own CO₂ transportation requirements. The Government of Alberta requires open access of the storage hub to third-party CO₂ emitters, and it is anticipated that the Pathways Project could support third-party CO₂ storage.  

How widely used is carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology?

CCS is a proven technology used around the world, including Norway, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, United States and right here in Canada. Projects showing early success globally are using a collaborative model where governments co-invest alongside industry. For example, Norway has developed CCS investment incentives that cover two thirds of capital costs and 100% of operating costs over the first 10 years.

How has Canada employed CCS?

The Pathways Project is an opportunity to further demonstrate Canada’s leading role in the development of CCS alongside other jurisdictions. CCS has already been successfully operating in Alberta and Saskatchewan for several years.

Some of the world’s first commercial CCS projects include SaskPower’s Boundary Dam near Weyburn, and the Quest project in Alberta. The successful implementation of these projects has demonstrated local expertise in constructing and operating CCS facilities.

Where is the CO₂ pipeline going to go?

To minimize new land disturbance, the proposed network will follow existing pipeline right-of-ways and other infrastructure corridors to the greatest extent possible. The pipeline, including route selection, must follow regulatory requirements and must specifically consider safety, environmental features, engineering design, construction constraints, and public feedback, where provided, amongst other factors.

Adjustments to the proposed pipeline network routing may be made as engineering and design work progresses and input is collected from Indigenous groups, local landowners, regulators, and other interested parties. Our commitment is to keep stakeholders apprised of project updates and engage in meaningful discussions to address any potential concerns.

Is the Pathways Project safe?

The safety of communities, workers, and infrastructure is of the utmost priority to Pathways Project proponents and incorporated into all operations and planning processes.

The CO₂ pipeline will be designed, constructed, operated, and maintained in accordance with the Canadian Standards Association pipeline standard (i.e. CSA Z662) as legislated through the Government of Alberta’s Pipeline Act and regulated by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER). All pipelines in Canada follow these standards.

The storage hub’s geology is well suited to CO₂ storage. Careful site selection (as described above) and extensive, ongoing monitoring are key to help ensure injected CO₂ remains safely stored. Part of maintaining safe, long-term CO₂ storage is the development and implementation of a measurement, monitoring, and verification (MMV) plan, that must be approved by the regulator prior to CO₂ injection. The MMV plan will also include a risk management approach to identify and address potential issues associated with CO₂ storage activities.

For further details, please see the pipeline safety and emergency management planning and storage hub safety and emergency management planning sections of our website.

Will the pipeline be at risk of rupturing or leaking?

The multi-layered safety system has been developed specifically to mitigate risks of leaks or ruptures. Pipeline integrity management programs are required to be in place prior to operations as per CSA Z662, outlining inspection and maintenance programs throughout the life of the pipeline. Additionally, systems will be in place to continuously monitor the pipeline for changes in operating parameters.

In addition to integrity management programs, emergency response plans and procedures are also required prior to the start of operations. Emergency response plans are location-specific and designed to protect the public and the environment. They include procedures for mobilizing response personnel and agencies, establishing communications, and ensuring coordination of emergency response. The Pathways Project will have an emergency response plan developed in accordance with AER Directive 071: Emergency Preparedness and Response requirements.

Has an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) been done?

The Pathways Project is subject to specific and rigorous requirements through existing legislation and regulations.  Information collected through initial scouting, followed by field and desktop evaluations, preparation of legal surveys, and geotechnical investigations are used to confirm environmental conditions (e.g. key watercourses), identify unique environment features, existing infrastructure, and document known cabins, traplines and historical resources.

 This information is then used to inform routing and to develop suitable mitigation measures within the project design (e.g. pipeline crossing ) and regulatory applications to manage and/or reduce potential environmental impacts. Monitoring and wildlife sweeps will be completed throughout the construction phase, to ensure crews are up to date on current field conditions.

Regulators have extensive experience in regulating all aspects of pipelines and injection wells in Alberta. For example, the AER regulates almost 450,000 kilometres of pipeline where they conduct surveillance and inspections, incident response, and investigations.² Further, the project is also informed by a thorough consultation and engagement process with Indigenous groups, landowners, and other interested parties where potential concerns are heard, and mitigation measures are applied where feasible.

Preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report is not required for the Pathways Project.  

Who are the proponents of the Pathways Project?

The project proponents are five of Canada’s largest oil sands companies – Canadian Natural, Cenovus, ConocoPhillips Canada, Imperial and Suncor.³

The oil sands is an immense economic driver for Canada and Alberta, producing about 3.5 million barrels of oil per day in 2025. Over 500,000 Canadians are directly or indirectly employed by the oil and gas sector. The industry paid $35.1 billion in royalties and taxes to governments and was responsible for $157.4 billion of Canada’s exports in 2024.

Where can I go to read more about the Pathways Project?

More information about the Pathways Project can be found on the Oil Sands Alliance website, including fact sheets that provide further information on CCS technology and storage hub safety and emergency management planning.

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1. Flue gas is the combustion exhaust that is used to create steam for oil sands operations. It is created by natural gas fired boilers via a stack and primarily composed of nitrogen (67-72%), water (18-20%), and CO₂ (8-10%). ↩︎
2. https://www.aer.ca/data-and-performance-reports/statistical-reports/alberta-energy-outlook-st98/pipelines-and-other-infrastructure ↩︎
3. For the purposes of the regulatory applications for the Pathways Project, all permits, licenses, filings, orders, and approvals shall be applied for and, if approved, be in the name of Canadian Natural Resources Limited, as the proponent on behalf of Canadian Natural, Cenovus Energy Inc., ConocoPhillips Canada Resources Corp., Imperial Oil Resources Limited, and Suncor Energy Inc. ↩︎