Take Notice that EnCana Oil & Gas Co. Ltd. (EnCana), has applied to the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) and Alberta Environment (AENV) for approval to construct Phases II and III of the Foster Creek Commercial Project in the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range. The proposed thermal project is located approximately 70 kilometres (km) north of La Corey, Alberta in Township 70, Range 3, West of the 4th Meridian. The project will be based on in-situ steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) technology. Each phase is designed to produce 7 950 cubic metres (m³) per day (50 000 barrels per day) of bitumen using SAGD technology. Approximately 50 well pairs per phase would be drilled. Site clearing for the initial stages of the project could begin as early as 2005, in preparation for commencing bitumen production in 2007. 

The proposed project would include: 

• the drilling of multiple horizontal well pairs from pads and the use of SAGD as the recovery process, 

• process train facilities located on each pad, which include steam generation, gas separation and emulsion treating, and

• a central plant site with steam generation, water treatment, bitumen and product handling.

Nature of the Application
In support of the proposal, EnCana has prepared and submitted the following applications: 

         Application No. 1252809 to the EUB under Section 10 of the Oil Sands Conservation Act to authorize the proposed SAGD project. EnCana has also prepared and submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report to the Director of Regulatory Assurance Division, AENV. The EIA report forms part of the application to the EUB. 

         Application No. 002-68492 to AENV under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA) for construction, operation, and reclamation of the proposed project.  

         An application (27389) to AENV, pursuant to Section 50 of the Water Act (WA), to authorize the diversion of water from surface water and groundwater sources. EnCana requires the following water for steam production: 

• A total of 2.8 million m³ annually for ongoing operation of both Phase II and Phase III of the project (1.4 million m³ each)
• In addition, for the first year of each phase, 9.1 million m³ is required for start-up purposes. (Start-up for Phases II and III will not occur at the same time.)
• The maximum annual water requirement is 10.5 million m³ (Phase II operation plus Phase III start-up); this will occur during the first year of Phase III.

The primary source for the required water will be wells in the Wiau channel aquifer system, at depths of 120 to 220 metres.

Additional information

For information about EUB procedures, contact
Resources Applications
Attention: Anna Louie
Telephone: (403) 297-8396 

Further Take Notice

That under Section 73 of the EPEA, any person directly affected by the EPEA application or under Section 109 of the WA may submit a written statement of concern to: 

Director, Northern Region
Regulatory Approvals Centre
Alberta Environment
Main Floor, 9820 106th Street
Edmonton, Alberta  T6B 2J6
Telephone:  (780) 427-6311
Fax:  (780) 422-0154 

To File a Statement of Concern

Statements of concern under EPEA and WA must be submitted by July 31, 2002. Failure to file a statement of concern may affect the right to file a Notice of Objection (on appeal) with the Environmental Appeal Board. Please quote Application No. 002-68492 (EPEA) or File No. 27389 (WA) when submitting a statement of concern. If no statements of concern are received, the EPEA and WA applications may be approved without further notice. Note that any statements filed regarding these applications are public records and are therefore accessible by the public.

Additional Information

To obtain additional information or a copy of the application and EIA report, free of charge, contact:

EnCana Oil & Gas Co. Ltd.
3900, 421 7th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta  T2P 4K9
Attention: Carrie Cochran
Telephone: (403) 266-8339
Fax: (403) 290-8356
E-mail: carrie.cochran@encana.com

Copies of these applications and the EIA are also available for viewing at the following locations:

 This Notice of Application is being distributed to advise interested persons that the applications are available and the EUB and other Government Departments are now undertaking review of the applications. 

Dated at Calgary, Alberta on May 15, 2002. 

ALBERTA ENERGY AND UTILITIES BOARD
Michael J. Bruni, Q.C., General Counsel