The technical elements of the assignment were site development; access systems for road and rail; supply systems for natural gas, water, electrical power and telecommunications. On site facilities included such elements as water handling and treatment; utility and underground piping distribution; emergency response and fire protection systems; as well as buildings such as offices, maintenance complexes, warehousing and specialty buildings. Also include were disposal systems for the waste water and solid waste.

The project support elements included a cost estimate, development schedule, contracting strategy, construction forces projections, risk analysis, and constructability analysis that provided an overall development strategy.

Morrison Hershfield’s participation on the team was direct involvement with the following components:

• Site grading design for both sites
• Development of building concepts for the upgrader site
• Communication systems concepts for both sites
• Process water supply and treatment for the Sturgeon Upgrader – examined supply options from the North Saskatchewan River and recycled water from the area’s two major wastewater treatment plants
• Emergency response and fire water concepts
• Development of detail design of the modification to some existing facilities for use during construction
• Development of overall engineering standards for infrastructure and facilities
• Overall engineering management
• On site representation, managing the on site activities such a topographic survey and geotechnical exploration and a overall safety program on behalf of PCOSI as prime contractor

PCOSI received a very detail concept/ development strategy (DBM) with which they have proceeded forward to hire a Engineering, Procurement & Construction contractor to implement the Fort Hills Oilsands project.