Suncor Energy confirms steam leak at Firebag oil sands site, says incident is resolved
By Amanda Stephenson
CALGARY, April 8 (Reuters) - Canada's Suncor Energy SU.TO confirmed on Wednesday that an uncontrolled steam leak occurred from a well at its Firebag oil sands site in northern Alberta last week.
A Suncor spokesperson said the well issue is now resolved and production at the site is unaffected. Firebag produces up to 215,000 barrels per day, according to Suncor's website.
Suncor said the release of steam resulted in "mist" falling onto the associated well pad and migrating onto property outside of the Firebag site. The Alberta Energy Regulator said late on Wednesday the mist may contain hydrocarbons and landed on a portion of the frozen and snow-covered North Steepbank River.
The company did not say what caused the incident or how long cleanup efforts will take.
The AER said it is on site at Firebag working to ensure compliance with regulations. It said cleanup is ongoing.
Firebag is an in situ oil sands operation, meaning steam is used to loosen the heavy bitumen so that it can be pumped to the surface via wells.
Last year, Suncor rival Cenovus CVE.TO also reported an uncontrolled steam release. In Cenovus' case, the incident forced the company to temporarily shut in production at its Rush Lake 2 facility in Saskatchewan.
