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News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

EUB ISSUES ENFORCEMENT ACTION ON SUNCOR’S FIREBAG OILSANDS PROJECT

Calgary, Alberta (September 25, 2007) The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) has found Suncor Energy Inc. in non-compliance with EUB requirements due to ongoing venting and flaring of natural gas containing hydrogen sulphide (H2S) at Suncor’s Firebag in situ oilsands project.

The venting exceeds allowable levels set forth in the Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objectives for H2S. The EUB views this as a serious matter of non-compliance, and has ordered Suncor to immediately implement measures to correct the situation. This action comes as a result of joint inspections by the EUB and Alberta Environment.

Until Firebag is in compliance with EUB requirements, no operational enhancements to the project will be permitted.

Frequently, the EUB will shut in a facility for this type of non-compliance. However, due to the nature of the resource and the means by which it is being recovered, shutting down the facility could damage the formation and potentially reduce the recoverability of the oilsands deposit. One of the EUB’s primary responsibilities is ensuring that the resources owned by Albertans are not wasted, another is compliance at the appropriate level.

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 is available on the EUB Web site at http://www.ercb.ca.

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

NR 2007-37