Canadian Natural has begun construction on our Kirby In Situ Oil Sands Project located approximately 85 km northeast of Lac La Biche in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
Plans include:
- Use of Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) technology for the recovery of bitumen from the in situ oil sands resources.
- Construction of four well pads, with the potential for an additional eight pads to be constructed over a 15-year period; the four initial well pads will be located near the processing facility.
- Construction of a stand-alone bitumen processing facility without an upgrader. The processing facility will have a peak rate of 7,150 cubic metres per calendar day (m3/cd) or 40,000 barrels of bitumen per calendar day (bbl/cd). The facility will include produced water treatment capability to enable the use of recycled water for steam generation in the SAGD process.
Expected economic benefits from the Kirby Project include:
- The Kirby Project will pay an estimated $520 million in taxes and $560 million in royalties to the Federal and Alberta Governments.
- Approximately 50 new staff and 10 permanent contract positions will be created.
Kirby In Situ Oil Sands Expansion Project
NEW
February 2012 Notice of Applications for the Kirby Expansion Project
March 13, 2012 Open House in Lac La Biche for the Kirby
Expansion Project and Grouse Project
Click on link at bottom of page for further details
On December 16, 2011, Canadian Natural submitted an Integrated Application (“the Applications”) and Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) for the proposed Kirby In Situ Oil Sands Expansion Project (“Kirby Expansion Project”) to the Energy Resources Conservation Board (“ERCB”) and Alberta Environment and Water (“AEW”). The Kirby Expansion Project background is described below.
In February 2012, a joint ERCB and AEW Notice of Applications was posted in various local and regional newspapers. The notice informed interested parties that the ERCB, AEW and other government departments are undertaking a review of the Applications and EIA and that the Applications are available for viewing. The notice also informed interested parties about the rules for filing statements of concern to AEW. The AEW deadline for filing statements of concern is April 20, 2012.
Canadian Natural is committed to consulting with stakeholders and Aboriginal groups on our plans so we can address any potential issues, concerns or opportunities related to the proposed development. As part of our consultation efforts for the proposed Kirby Expansion Project and the proposed Grouse In Situ Oil Sands Project, Canadian Natural will be holding a public open house in Lac La Biche on March 13, 2012.
The Notice of Applications and a notice for the open house can be accessed at the links below. Please call the Project Information Line (1-780-714-6161) for more information regarding the proposed Project (call collect if you are outside this calling area).
To obtain a copy of the Applications and EIA, please contact:
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
2500, 855 – 2 Street SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P 4J8
Attention: Michelle Camilleri
Telephone: 403-386-8113
Fax: 403-517-7438
E-mail: kirbyproject@cnrl.com
Background
The Kirby Expansion Project involves the expansion of two recently approved in situ oil sands projects. On September 22, 2010, Canadian Natural received Commercial Scheme Approval No. 11475 from the ERCB for the Kirby In Situ Oil Sands Project. This approval authorized Canadian Natural to develop and produce 45,000 bbl/d (7,155 cubic metres per day (m3/d)) of bitumen. This project is currently under construction.
Enerplus Resources Fund (Enerplus) received ERCB Commercial Scheme Approval No. 11472 on September 22, 2010 to develop and produce 10,000 bbl/d (1,590 m3/d) of bitumen. Canadian Natural subsequently acquired Enerplus’ oil sands assets in the Kirby area, including those associated with the ERCB approved project. As a result of this acquisition Canadian Natural’s development plans for the area have evolved, resulting in the proposed Kirby Expansion Project.
On May 17, 2011, the Kirby Expansion Project was publicly disclosed and the proposed Terms of Reference for the project Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) were issued for public review and comment. On October 11, 2011, AEW issued the final Terms of Reference for the EIA. The public disclosure documents and the proposed and final Terms of Reference are also available via the links below.
Connect With Us