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News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EUB ISSUES INTERIM DECISIONS FOR STYLUS WELL APPLICATIONS IN WABISKAW-MCMURRAY OILSANDS AREA

Calgary, Alberta (November 4, 2003) The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) today issued Decision 2003-080, which denies, on an interim basis, an application by Stylus Exploration Inc. to produce gas from four wells in the Hardy area, about 100 kilometres southeast of Fort McMurray. Gas production from five other wells operated by other companies in the same area must also remain shut in.

All of the wells would be producing gas from the Wabiskaw and McMurray zones, and therefore could impact the potential recovery of bitumen in the area. This interim decision may be reviewed after the release of the EUB's regional geological study, which should be completed by December 31, 2003.

The EUB also decided that previously approved gas production from other Stylus wells in the Hardy area could continue as the risk of gas being in communication with potentially recoverable bitumen is low.

As established in EUB Interim Directive (ID) 99-1: Gas/Bitumen Production in Oil Sands Areas, Applications, Notifications, and Drilling Requirements, applications for approval to produce gas must provide evidence

• that the gas is not associated with bitumen within the region of influence, or
• if the gas is association with bitumen within the regions of influence, why gas production should be allowed, considering the potential effect on future bitumen recovery.

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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This news release and Decision 2003-080 are available on the EUB Web site at http://www.ercb.ca

For more information, please contact:
Bob Curran
EUB Communications
Phone: 403-297-3392
Fax: 403-297-3757
Email: bob.curran@gov.ab.ca

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