Calgary, Alberta (June 7, 2005) The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) has issued Decision 2005-058, which approves, subject to eight conditions, a directional sour oil well with a surface location near the south shore of Sturgeon Lake and a bottom hole location under the lake. This location is about 125 kilometres (km) east of Grande Prairie and 25 km west of Valleyview.
The eight conditions cover issues of timing, flaring, water well testing, updating records, spill response, air monitoring, and insurance coverage. Conditions generally are requirements in addition to or otherwise expanding upon existing regulations and guidelines.
The EUB received objections to the application from a number of individual landowners and cabin owners (the interveners). Many of the individuals formed a group called the Sturgeon Lake Cabin Owners Group to present their views at a public hearing held in Grande Prairie March 16 and 17, 2005. The issues raised by the interveners related to noise, safety, emergency response planning, impacts on lifestyle, odours, and property value. The Municipal District of Greenview No. 19 also submitted an intervention with respect to road use and construction.
The EUB's decision declares that the concerns raised by interveners are mitigated by either Intrepid's application or the conditions imposed on the well licence approval.
Thousands of wells are drilled safely across Alberta every year, including under lakes.
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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For more information, please contact:
Bob Curran
EUB Communications
Office: 403-297-3392
Cellular: 403-613-5554
Fax: 403-297-3757
Email: Bob.Curran@gov.ab.ca
NR2005-11
