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News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EUB ISSUES STATISTICAL UPDATE ON BITUMEN CONSERVATION REQUIREMENTS
41% of Daily Natural Gas Production in Area of Concern Shut-In
Calgary, Alberta (September 10, 2003) The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) has issued its first weekly statistical update regarding General Bulletin GB 2003-28, which set out Bitumen Conservation Requirements to address the risk of natural gas production on bitumen recovery in an area of concern in the geological strata known as the Wabiskaw-McMurray of the Athabasca Oil Sands Area.
Highlights include:
- 338 wells have been shut-in within the area of concern
- 95 million cubic feet per day of natural gas production has been shut-in, this represents about 41 per cent of the area's daily production
- 600 gas wells in the area have temporary exemptions
Temporary exemptions are provided for wells where operators have evidence that natural gas extraction does not affect the potential extraction of bitumen. If the EUB or affected parties wish to challenge any of the exempted wells, the matter will be addressed on an interim basis through an expedited EUB process.
Work continues on the EUB's regional geological study and eleven energy companies have contributed fifteen geologists to the project. The study is to conclude by December 31, 2003.
A list of the wells affected by the shut-in order, exemptions filed, objections filed, and other related information are available on the EUB Web site. The attached summary will be updated every Tuesday until the process is concluded.
The EUB ensures that the discovery, development, and delivery of Alberta's resources take place in a manner that is fair, responsible, and in the public interest.
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Note to editors: This news release, the weekly statistical update and General Bulletin GB 2003-28 are available on the EUB Web site at http://www.ercb.ca
For more information, please contact:
Tom Neufeld
EUB Communications
Phone: 403-297-8565
Fax: 403-297-3757
Email: tom.neufeld@gov.ab.ca
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