Nature of the Application
BlackRock Ventures Inc. (BlackRock) has applied to construct and operate a thermal recovery project using steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) in the Hilda Lake area. The proposed BlackRock Orion EOR Project (Orion Project) is located approximately 15 kilometres to the northwest of Cold Lake, Alberta, in the north half of Section 9, the north half of Section 10, and Sections 15, 16, and 17, of Township 64, Range 3, West of the 4th Meridian (see attached map). The project would be developed in two phases. Phase 1 would consist of up to 56 SAGD well pairs and associated infrastructure and steam generation, water recycle and bitumen processing facilities with a capacity of 1590 cubic metres per day (m³/d) of bitumen production. Phase 2 would consist of up to an additional 60 well pairs and associated infrastructure and steam generation, water recycle and bitumen processing facilities with an additional 1590 m³/d of bitumen production capacity. The total project would have a capacity of 3180 m³/d of bitumen production, and is expected to have a life expectancy of approximately 30 years.

The major components of the proposed Orion Project are:

• the drilling of multiple horizontal well pairs from pads, associated injection and production pipelines, and road access;

• a plant site with steam generation, water treatment, water recycle, bitumen and product handling, fuel gas and bitumen pipelines, storm water storage and reclamation material storage; and

• brackish water source wells, waste water disposal wells.

In support of their proposal, BlackRock has prepared and submitted Application No. 1241564 to the EUB, pursuant to Section 10 of the Oil Sands Conservation Act, for authorization of the proposed development of the Orion Project. In support of its proposal and as part of its application to the EUB, BlackRock has also prepared and submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment report to Alberta Environment.

Additional Information
To obtain additional information or a copy of the application contact:

A copy of the application is available for viewing at the following locations:

Alberta Energy and Utilities Board                 Alberta Environment, Northern Region
Information Services                                  Attention: Patti Humphrey
Main Floor, 640 – 5th Avenue SW                 111 Twin Atria Building
Calgary, Alberta T2P 3G4                            4999 - 98th Avenue
Telephone: (403) 297-8190                         Edmonton, Alberta T6B 2X3

Alberta Energy and Utilities Board                 Alberta Energy and Utilities Board
2nd Floor, Provincial Building                       10th Flr, Hong Kong Bank of Canada Building
9915 Franklin Avenue                                10055 - 106th Street
Fort McMurray, Alberta T9H 2K4                  Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2Y2

Alberta Energy and Utilities Board
Northlands Development Building
209, 4901 - 50th Avenue
Bonnyville, Alberta T9N 2G4

For information regarding EUB procedures contact:

Applications Branch, Resource Applications
Ken Hale
Telephone: (403) 662-3986
Fax: (403) 297-2474
Email: ken.hale@gov.ab.ca

To File A Submission
Any person intending to make a submission with respect to the hearing of Application No. 1241564 shall file on or before 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 1, 2004. Send one copy of your submission, in writing, to the applicant at the name and address listed above and ten copies of the submission to:

Ken Hale
Alberta Energy and Utilities Board
Applications Branch, Resources Applications
640 – 5th Avenue SW
Calgary, AB T2P 3G4

Any submission filed shall contain information detailing:

(i)  the desired disposition of the application;

(ii)  the facts substantiating the position of the submitter;

(iii) the reasons why the submitter believes the EUB should decide in the manner advocated; and

(iv) how the proposed project, if approved, may directly and adversely affect the submitter.

If you have an interest in this matter, you are required to make a submission with respect to this application even if you have previously filed a submission with the EUB or with BlackRock on this application.

In accordance with Section 38 of the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board Rules of Practice, all witnesses must give evidence under oath or affirmation.

Submissions relating exclusively to compensation for land usage are not dealt with by the EUB but may be referred to the Alberta Surface Rights Board, or, in the case of trapping issues, to the Trappers Compensation Board.

If there are no valid submissions received, this hearing may be cancelled and the EUB will proceed with the disposition of the application without further notice and/or without a hearing.

The EUB has determined that David Stone, Inez Stone, Jens Peter Harwerth, and Beatrix Kohlhass may be directly and adversely affected by the EUB's decision on Application No. 1241564. Should these parties withdraw their objections to Application No. 1241564, the Board may cancel the proceeding and continue to process the application in due course.

Issued at Calgary, Alberta, on April 13, 2004.

ALBERTA ENERGY AND UTILITIES BOARD

Michael J. Bruni, Q.C., General Counsel