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News Release January 28, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EUB APPROVES CONOCOPHILLIPS CANADA NON-CRITICAL SOUR GAS WELL, PIPELINES AND BATTERY
Calgary, Alberta (January 28, 2003) The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) has approved with a condition energy development applications from ConocoPhillips Canada Resources Corp. for a non-critical sour gas well and sour gas battery at 13-21-74-12W6 plus associated pipelines. The location is approximately 30 kilometres northwest of Beaverlodge.
The approval (EUB Decision 2003-009) is the result of a public hearing held December 10, 2002 in Grande Prairie. A public hearing was held because of an objection filed with the EUB by an adjacent landowner.
Issues heard during the hearing included: need for the proposed well, battery, and pipelines, location of the facilities, public consultation, emergency response planning, and impacts. The EUB finds that ConocoPhillips has demonstrated the need for the proposed well, battery, and pipelines, and that these can be drilled, constructed, and operated in a safe and environmentally acceptable manner. The EUB also finds that the associated impacts will be properly addressed and mitigated. As a result, the Board is of the view that this energy development project is in the public interest and approves the applications subject to ConocoPhillips meeting all regulatory requirements, as well as the condition.
The condition states: The Board directs ConocoPhillips to conduct an exercise of its drilling and completions Emergency Response Plan (ERP) prior to entering the sour zone. The Board further directs ConocoPhillips to afford EUB staff the opportunity to actively participate in this exercise. The Board directs ConocoPhillips to test all key components of its ERP, including chain of command, public notification, communications equipment, and linkages, including outside services, evacuation procedures, and ignition procedures, to satisfy EUB staff that the systems are in order for immediate implementation.
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This news release and Decision 2003-009 is also available on the EUB Website at http://www.ercb.ca
For further information please contact:
Greg Gilbertson, Section Leader
EUB Communications
Phone (403) 297-3648
NR 2003-06
