Canada wildfire hits edge of oil sands operations

Suncor’s CEO says the energy giant will be able to restart operations quickly, as soon as it is safe. Authorities had evacuated thousands from the area around Fort McMurray, Alberta, by 9 May as firefighters gradually got the upper hand on the massive wildfire. (Canadian Press/REX/Shutterstock)

HOUSTON (ICIS)–The wildfires in Canada’s Alberta province reached the southern edge of Suncor Energy’s oil sands base operations, the company said over the weekend.

Active firefighting and a shift in wind direction moved the fire away, and Suncor said there was no damage to its assets.

The company plans to implement a restart plan as soon as it is safe to do so, and when third-party pipelines have returned to operation.

Suncor’s plant is 25km (16 miles) north of Fort McMurray. Suncor is a major North American sulphur producer.

“We have routinely brought down assets as part of planned maintenance and safely ramped them back up within days and we believe we can do so in these circumstances,” said Steve Williams, president and chief executive officer.

“Over the weekend, several hundred people including first responders, contractors and Suncor essential personnel protected our oil sands operations. … Because of their efforts, we’re now in a position that when it is safe to restart, we can do so quickly.”

Syncrude also shut down operations, as have Nexen and Shell. Husky Energy and Canadian Natural Resources have cut output or evacuated employees.

The wildfire has burned more than 161,000 hectares and forced an evacuation of nearly 90,000 people.

Oil sands is a mixture of bitumen, sand, fine clays, silt and water. Because it does not flow like conventional crude oil, it must be mined or heated underground before it can be processed. 

Oil sands giant Suncor Energy escaped the worst of the wildfires, officials say. (Canadian Press/REX/Shutterstock)