Low Hydraulic Stress Groundwater Sampling in Alberta's Oil Sands Region: Standard Operating Procedure

This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) provides standardized guidelines for low hydraulic stress (LHS) groundwater sampling using dedicated stainless steel electrical submersible pumps (ESPs) in Alberta's oil sands region. Developed for the Oil Sands Monitoring (OSM) Program, it covers purging methods, minimal drawdown operational limits, field indicator parameter stabilization criteria, equipment troubleshooting, and QA/QC requirements for sampling the Provincial Groundwater Observation Well Network (GOWN).

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Short Name of Publication LHS Groundwater Sampling SOP
Deliverable Type Standard Operating Procedure
Program Category Aquatics
Program Type OSM
Author Oil Sands Monitoring Branch, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas
Periodical Title
Year of Publication 2026
Publishing Organization Government of Alberta, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas
Month of Publication August
Periodical Volumes
Page Range i–iv, 1–31
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Online ISBN/ISSN 978-1-4601-6581-2
Print ISBN/ISSN
Recomended Citation Government of Alberta. (2026). Low Hydraulic Stress Groundwater Sampling in Alberta's Oil Sands Region: Standard Operating Procedure. Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, Oil Sands Monitoring Branch. ISBN 978-1-4601-6581-2.
Maintainer Seth Xeflide, Oil Sands Monitoring Branch