News Release August 28, 2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EUB ASSUMES LEAD ROLE FOR ETHANE STORAGE CAVERN FIRE IN FORT SASKATCHEWAN
Calgary, Alberta (August 28, 2001) The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) on behalf of the government of Alberta has assumed the "lead agency" role relating to the uncontrolled release of storage cavern ethane and the resulting fire from two well heads at BP Canada's Natural Gas Liquids Plant located about 4 miles NE of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. While there were no reported injuries, the incident is impacting other petroleum operations within the province involving both upstream natural gas liquids production and downstream natural gas liquids product use. The EUB wants to ensure that all potential impacts to the public and the industry are being addressed.
While the cause of the incident is not known at this time, the EUB notes that the emergency response of the City of Fort Saskatchewan was, and continues to be, most appropriate, and the majority of smoke from the fire has now been eliminated. EUB well control personnel are meeting with BP Canada to evaluate potential well control alternatives. However, the combination of the uncontrolled fire and the facility's location has resulted in a number of natural gas liquids (NGLs) pipelines being shut-in. This is impacting both upstream gas plants that produce NGLs and rely on the pipelines to transport them, and downstream petro-chemical plants that rely on the now shut-in pipelines for delivery of NGL feedstocks.
The EUB, industry and other government agencies are reviewing options for both the upstream and downstream plants. These options could include, but are not limited to:
- allowing upstream gas plants to flare NGL products
- relaxing pipeline product specifications to allow excess NGLs into natural gas streams
- redirecting NGL flows via the province's pipeline network, and/or
- curtailing downstream NGL supply where necessary.
The City of Fort Saskatchewan and BP Canada have set up a 24 hour information line for local residents to call if they have any questions at (780) 992-6268. Alberta Environment's phone number for air quality concerns is 1-800-222-6514.
Further news releases will be issued as more information becomes known.
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This news release is available on the EUB Web site at http://www.ercb.ca
For more information, please contact:
Dave Morris, Senior Advisor
EUB Communications
Tel. 403-297-7470
Cell. 403-651-4348
Fax 403-297-3757
Email: david.morris@gov.ab.ca
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