Cenovus Energy, one of Canada’s largest oil and gas companies, has been forced to shut down production at its oilsands facilities due to a wildfire in northern Alberta.
The wildfire, which began on July 1st, has grown to over 2,600 hectares and is currently burning about 16 kilometers away from Cenovus’s Foster Creek and Christina Lake operations. As a precautionary measure, the company has evacuated all non-essential personnel from the sites and has suspended production.
According to Cenovus spokesperson, Reg Curren, the safety of their employees and the surrounding communities is their top priority. He stated, “We have a comprehensive emergency response plan in place and are working closely with local authorities to monitor the situation and take all necessary precautions.”
The company has also implemented air quality monitoring and has not detected any significant impacts on air quality at this time. However, they will continue to monitor the situation closely and take necessary actions to ensure the safety of their employees and the environment.
The wildfire has also caused road closures in the area, which may impact the company’s ability to transport workers and supplies to the sites. Cenovus has contingency plans in place to minimize any potential disruptions to their operations.
This is not the first time Cenovus has been affected by wildfires. In 2016, a wildfire in the Fort McMurray area forced the company to shut down production at its oilsands facilities for several weeks.
The current wildfire is being closely monitored by the Alberta Wildfire Management Branch and Cenovus is working closely with them to assess the situation and determine when it will be safe to resume operations.
In the meantime, the company is providing support to its employees and their families who have been impacted by the evacuation. They are also working with local authorities to provide assistance to the affected communities.
Cenovus Energy is committed to the safety and well-being of its employees, the environment, and the communities in which they operate. They will continue to provide updates on the situation as it develops and work towards safely resuming operations as soon as possible.
