Post by Admin on Sept 21, 2015 1:16:38 GMT
Sept.17, 2015
Nexen Energy’s Long Lake facility has resumed operations, although 45 pipelines continue to be shut down at the site.
On Wednesday evening, the province’s regulator announced the suspensions on 10 pipelines at the in situ facility had been lifted. In a statement, the regulator says the pipelines were allowed to resume operations following inspections, a review of documentation and Nexen’s improvements to operations at Long Lake.
“The AER is satisfied that the current operating conditions of the production lines pose a low risk to public safety and environmental protection,” the regulator announced.
The remaining 45 pipelines that remain shut down contain several products vital to Long Lake’s operations, including crude oil, natural gas, salt water, fresh water and emulsion. These pipelines will not be allowed to become operable until the regulator is convinced they can be used and maintained safely and responsibly.
In August, the regulator shutdown 95 pipelines at the site after reviewing the company’s actions towards pipeline safety and maintenance. Nexen said they would have to close the facility within two weeks for repairs, because Long Lake could not function without them.
Eventually, the regulator lifted the suspensions on some of the pipelines following further inspections. This allowed Nexen to operate 75% of the facility. With this order, Nexen says Long Lake is able to resume 100% of their operations, even with 45 pipelines under scrutiny from the regulator.
Long Lake was producing approximately 50,000 barrels per day of synthetic crude before a ruptured pipeline spilled 5 million litres of emulsion into nearby muskeg. The spill site was discovered on July 15 by a contractor patrolling the area. The causes of the burst pipeline and the leak detection system’s failure is still being investigated.
“We are complying with the requirements of the AER’s Suspension Order, as amended, including addressing the remaining outstanding pipelines, which are not currently required for operations,” Nexen said in a statement.
vincent.mcdermott@sunmedia.ca