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Bulletin 2010-10

February 23, 2010

Total Joslyn Creek SAGD Thermal In Situ Operation Surface Steam Release of May 18, 2006—Total and ERCB Incident Reports Now Available on ERCB Web Site

The following reports are available on the Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) Web site www.ercb.ca under Publications : Publications Available : Special Reports:

Total Incident Report
This is Total E&P Canada Ltd.’s (Total’s) 1140-page technical report to the ERCB regarding the May 18, 2006, surface steam release incident at its Joslyn Creek In Situ Oil Sands Project, located about 60 kilometres north of Fort McMurray. Total conducted a detailed scientific investigation of potential causes of the steam release incident, which included a state-of-the-art seismic program. Total’s analysis and conclusions are included in its report. A draft of the report was submitted to the ERCB in December 2007 and subsequently finalized in September 2008 after satisfying ERCB requests for additional information and analysis.

ERCB Incident Report
This report provides the ERCB’s review and analysis of the steam release incident. It includes a summary of Total’s and the ERCB’s views on the geology at Joslyn Creek, the most likely steam release scenario, and possible alternative scenarios. It also provides an overview of project operations before the steam release, compliance issues related to the steam release, and the restriction and monitoring imposed subsequent to the steam release that were conditional to restarting project operations.

The ERCB believes that the two reports provide useful information for industry that aids in the understanding of and promotes further research into factors affecting caprock integrity. The ERCB has already implemented changes to its application process and requirements based on several interim findings and is currently assessing the need for additional requirements and regulatory changes.

<original signed by>

T. G. Abel, P.Eng.
Executive Manager
Oil Sands Branch