In 2009 and 2013, reports of a new type of 'spill' surfaced in the Cold Lake region, in which the earth's crust is cracked, broken, and oozing bitumen. After an investigation of the spills, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) released new conditions on CNRL's approval on March 21, 2016. Unfortunately, the new lower steam pressure in these regulations was too late to prevent the irrevocable destruction of geology at Primrose Lake. Imperial Oil is now planning a new extreme oil extraction operation at Marie Lake. Locals are concerned, and hopefully the special geology, prior history of local issues, and special conditions for approvals may change their mind.

» RELEASE: Uncontrollable oil seepage continues on weapons range (160KB PDF)
» RELEASE: CNRL Primrose incident caused by excessive steaming; AER releases final investigation report (50KB PDF)
» REPORT: Distribution of total dissolved solids in McMurray Formation water in the Athabasca oil sands region, Alberta, Canada: Implications for regional hydrogeology and resource development (670KB PDF)