OTTAWA and CALGARY - March 3, 2008 - The Joint Panel reviewing the proposed EnCana Shallow Gas Infill Development project and EUB Application No. 1435831 for three well licenses in the Suffield National Wildlife Area in Alberta, today announces that it has decided that the hearing originally scheduled for March 2008, will now take place in October 2008.
A request to delay the hearing was submitted by the proponent, EnCana Corporation, on February 21, 2008, in order to prepare and submit information requests (IRs) specifically on the intervener submissions filed in February 2008.
Taking into account the significant size of the submissions received by the Panel as well as the issues and concerns raised by the interveners, the Panel believes that allowing additional time for all parties to better prepare for the hearing is necessary. The proposed IR process would allow interveners to clarify their submissions and allow the proponent to provide a response. Despite the necessary delay, the Panel considers that the IR process will enhance the efficiency of the public hearing and ensure that the Panel has the best available information to consider when making its recommendations and decisions.
Following a brief consultation with the interested parties on February 25, the Panel has decided to reschedule the hearing to begin in Calgary on October 6, 2008. The Panel will also implement the IR process according to the following schedule:
- March 26: EnCana and Interveners file Information Requests (IRs) on the February 2008 submissions
- May 23: Interveners file Responses to IRs
- June 27: Supplemental Submissions are filed by Interveners (if any)
- August 15: Experts hired by the Panel submit their Report #2, based on submissions received, responses to IRs and any supplemental submissions
- August 15: EnCana responds to Intervener submissions and to IR responses
- October 6: Hearing starts
Supplemental submissions will provide an opportunity for interveners to offer comments on submissions provided to the Panel in February 2008 and on responses to IRs to be submitted by May 23. Interveners should file their supplemental submissions by June 27, 2008.
Details on hearing logistics as well as a supplement to the hearing procedures will be available closer to the hearing date.
The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), EUB Application No. 1435831, the procedures for the conduct of the hearing, along with more information on this project are available on the Panel's web site or on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry, under registry # 05-05-15620.
EnCana Corporation proposes to drill, over a three-year period, up to 1275 new shallow gas wells within the boundary of the Canadian Forces Base Suffield National Wildlife Area (NWA), located in Southeastern Alberta, approximately 50 km Northwest of Medicine Hat and 250 km Southeast of Calgary. The project is in addition to the existing natural gas development activities within the NWA and includes the physical works and the activities associated with the construction, operation, decommissioning, abandonment and reclamation of the shallow gas wells, pipelines, and supporting infrastructure.
EnCana Corporation has also applied pursuant to section 2.020 of the Oil and Gas Conservation Regulations for licenses to drill three wells at surface locations in Legal Subdivision (LSD) 11, Section 28, Township 15, Range 6, West of the 4th Meridian, LSD 13-28-15-6W4M, and LSD 15-28-15-6W4M in the NWA. The purpose of the proposed wells would be to obtain gas production from the Milk River formation, Medicine Hat sands, and Second White Speckled shale. The proposed wells would not contain hydrogen sulphide.
The Joint Review Panel for the EnCana Shallow Gas Infill Development Project is an independent body, mandated by the federal Minister of the Environment and the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board to assess the environmental effects of the proposed project.
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Media may contact:
Lucille Jamault
Senior Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Tel.: 613-957-0434
