EDMONTON — The Alberta Energy Regulator is allowing Nexen Energy to resume some pipeline operations at its Long Lake oilsands facility.
In a media release issued Sunday, Nexen said it received an amendment order from the AER, which lifts the suspension order to part of its facility.
Nexen can resume operations on 40 of its 95 pipelines which were previously ordered to be shut down.
Following an inspection of the site 35 kilometres southeast of Fort McMurray, the regulator said it was satisfied that the current operating conditions of the utility lines pose a low risk to public safety and environmental protection.
“Nexen has demonstrated to the AER that these utility lines can be operated safely and within all regulatory requirements,” AER said in the release.
The AER issued the suspension of 15 licenses, or 95 pipelines, on Aug. 28 because of “noncompliant activities at Long Lake oilsands operations” to do with pipeline maintenance and monitoring.
The remaining 55 pipelines affected by the order, which contain several products, including crude oil, natural gas, salt water, fresh water and emulsion, continue to be suspended.
A spill of about five million litres of bitumen, sand and produced water was discovered near Nexen’s Long Lake oilsands facility in late June. The break occurred just over a kilometre from the Long Lake plant. Nexen “sincerely apologized” for the impact it caused and is investigating along with the AER.
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