2007 Winter Field Geotechnical Investigation Program in the Sahtu Settlement Area - Tulita District
Principal Investigator: Hawkins, Jim R. (10)
Licence Number: 14089
Organization: Imperial Oil Resources Ventures Limited
Licensed Year(s): 2006 2006
Issued: Dec 13, 2006
Project Team: Construction Manager (planning of Program, Imperial), Field Operations Manager (responsible for implementing the Program, Imperial), Field Superintendent (supervising all field activities, Imperial), Project Engineer (direct activities of Geotechnical Consulant and Ge, Imperial), Environmental Inspector (ensure enviornmental requirements are met, Contractor - TBD), Safety Advisor (ensure safety procedures are followed, Contractor - TBD), Geotechnical Consultant (directing all technical aspects of Program, Contractor - TBD), Geotechnical Drilling Subcontractor (responsible for drilling boreholes and moving and , Contractor - TBD), Geophysical Surveyor (executing geophysical surveys, Imperial), General Contractor (clearing and maintaining access and investigation , Contractor - TBD), Topographic Surveyor (locating access and investigation sites; surveying, Contractor - TBD), Emergency Medical Technician (available to provide first aid and determine medic, Contractor - TBD), Telecommunications Contractor (providing local and long distance communications, Imperial), Helicopter Contractor (providing emergency and routine services, Contractor - TBD), Fixed Wing Aircraft Subcontractor (providing emergency and routine services, Contractor - TBD), Camp and Catering Subcontractor (supplying the camp and meals, Contractor - TBD), Environmental Monitor (a representative from the local community who will, Contractor - TBD), Wildlife Monitor (member of the local community who will provide wil, Contractor - TBD)

Objective(s): The objective of the 2007 winter field geotechnical program is to gather information on the soil and ground conditions on or adjacent to a potential pipeline right-of-way in the Mackenzie Valley and for the preparation of subsequent regulatory applications. Included in the proposed investigations are 27 potential borrow sources, five frost heave sites, three watercourse crossings, six facility sites, one anchor trial location, three infrastructure sites and one geophysical equipment evaluation site. Information gathered from the investigations will be used to determine the availability if suitable granular materials for pipeline construction, and to facilitate the design of the pipeline and pilings and foundations of structures.

Project Description: Primary access to the field is the winter road that extends north of Wrigley to Fort Good Hope. Two temporary rig camps will be set up, one near the Hamlet of Tulita and the other near the intersection of the existing winter road and Little Smith Creek. Each camp will be able to accommodate up to 60 people. Secondary access to the investigation sites and potential water sources will follow existing cutlines, rights-of-way, and trails where possible. New access will be constructed, as required, to reach sites with no pre-existing access. Care will be taken to reduce the potential for site disturbance. The geotechnical investigation program involves drilling or excavating holes to collect soil samples at specific sites, installing devices to measure ground temperature, and using non-intrusive geophysical survey equipment to augment the borehole test pit information. The drilling of test holes and excavating of test pits will occur at 27 potential borrow sources, five frost heave sites, three watercourse crossings, six facility sites, one anchor trial location, three infrastructure sites and one geophysical equipment evaluation site location. Equipment will include a backhoe (on tracks), cat/bulldozers, a grader/Delta 3 (with water tank sprayer), hydro-axe/brush cutter, snow cat, personnel carriers, ¾ ton trucks, highboy with envirotank, mechanic's truck, front end loader, drill rigs (on tracks), profiler, snowmobiles, 4x4 pickups, fuel truck, fuel sloop, five-ton fuel plow truck, helicopter, tractor trailer/float, tandem axle trucks, tandem axle fuel truck, water truck, hydrovac truck, flood truck, mechanic/welding rig. The researchers have set up procedures to restore access routes and investigation sites, methods of fuel spill prevention and containment, and methods to avoid or minimize disturbance to wildlife, cultural resources, surface vegetation, soils, streams, and permafrost. Local environmental and wildlife monitors will provide input to ensure that sensitive areas, harvesting activities, and wildlife are avoided. The study will be conducted within the pipeline study corridor of the Tulita District of the Sahtu Settlement Area from January 1 to December 31, 2007.