Alberta’s energy regulator has ordered Nexen Energy to immediately suspend operations of 95 pipelines in northern Alberta – for what it calls non-compliance surrounding pipeline maintenance and monitoring in its Long Lake oilsands project.
According to Nexen, in July about 5 million litres of fluid – a combination of bitumen, water produced by the extraction process and sand – was leaked into an area about 16,000 square metres in size.
“Nexen has been unable to demonstrate that it actually has done the required monitoring and testing,” said Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) spokesman Bob Curran.
According to AER, the lines shut down by the order carry several products including crude oil, natural gas, salt water and emulsion.
Nexen said in a statement that “on Tuesday, August 25, Nexen voluntarily self-disclosed all non-compliances to the AER, along with a schedule for an action plan” and that “Nexen considers regulatory compliance to be of the utmost importance in our operations…a top priority is the safety of our employees, the public and the environment.”
Mike Hudema with Greenpeace Canada said they are pleased with the decision to have the pipelines shut down.
“We hope that it’s a sign of things to come so that we can really begin doing everything we can to protect our communities and our environment,” Hudema told CTV News.
“This decision should send a message to all pipeline operators that lax safety procedures that put Alberta's environment and communities at risk are not acceptable,” he added.
While AER couldn’t confirm if this was the largest suspension it’s ever issued, the duration is up to Nexen.
“They have to provide us with information that assures us that these lines can be operated safely,” Curran said.
According to AER, more enforcement could be taken as the investigation into the spill continues.
The non-compliance order was issued late Friday, August 28.
With files from Amanda Anderson and The Canadian Press
