Northern Alberta wildfires prompt evacuation of non-essential workers from major oilsands sites
Out-of-control wildfires in northern Alberta have forced fresh evacuations from oilsands sites, according to The Financial Post.
MEG Energy Corp. began evacuating non-essential staff from its Christina Lake oilsands site late Wednesday. On Thursday, Imperial Oil Ltd. also started reducing non-essential workers at its Kearl oilsands mine.
Both companies emphasized these moves are precautionary and that their sites have not been directly impacted.
Darlene Gates, MEG’s chief executive, stated in a news release that the company's top priority is the well-being of their personnel. She confirmed that production at Christina Lake remains unaffected, highlighting the company’s commitment to minimizing any potential disruptions.
The Christina Lake site, situated roughly 150 kilometres south of Fort McMurray, has a production capacity of approximately 110,000 barrels of oil per day. Meanwhile, the Kearl site, located 70 kilometres north of Fort McMurray, can produce 220,000 barrels per day.
Alberta Wildfire has classified the wildfire danger in the Fort McMurray area as “extreme,” with several fires currently burning. One significant fire northeast of Fort McMurray covers over 1,000 square km and is just 7 km from industrial sites.
Another fire detected southwest of Fort McMurray on Wednesday spans 150 square km and is located 11 km from Highway 63, a vital route linking the oilsands and Fort McMurray to Edmonton.
Suncor Energy Inc., Canada's second-largest oilsands producer by volume, evacuated non-essential personnel and reduced production at its Firebag site two weeks ago due to wildfire threats.
Although Suncor has not disclosed the extent of the production cut, the Firebag site produced 229,000 barrels per day in the first quarter of 2024 before the curtailment.
The fires and their impact on oilsands operations have driven up Canadian oil prices this week. Western Canada Select heavy crude increased by $1.73, or 2.63 percent, on Wednesday.
